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F10 4:30 Effects of environmental pollutants on tunicate hemocytes
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Abstracts of the 7th Congress of the ISDCI:SessionF F9 4:15
INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM PENTACHLOROPHENOL ON THE IMMUNE! SYSTEM OF MARINE MUSSELS. Florence M., M. CarissanlgL3, Thomas H. Hutchinson2, Andy R. Beaumont1 & Richard K. Pipe3. School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, North Wales LL575EY U.K.; Brixham Environmental Laboratory, ZENECA Ltd.. Brixham Devon TQ58BA U.K.; Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PLl 2PB, U.K.
Several studies have demonstrated that environmental contaminants can affect the immune system of marine bivalve molluscs. One important class bf marine contaminants is the chlorinated phenols, including pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its sodium salt (NaPCP). Since their introduction in 1936, these compounds are still extensively used and further investigation of their potential environmental effects are warranted. A pilot experiment was carried out to assessthe potential effects of NaPCP on the immune response of the marine mussel, M. edulis L. A series of assays,comprising total and differential blood cell counts, phagocytosis, release of intracellular superoxide anions and cytochemically determined activities for phenoloxidase and peroxidase, was undertaken on adult mussels. The animals were exposed to nominal concentrations of NaPCP (0, 2, 20 and 200 pg.l-1) for 2 weeks. Mussels were sampled and the assays performed following 0, 7 days and 14 days exposure. Samples were also taken for population genetic analysis. Significant differences in the immune aspects investigated were observed, with individual assays showing either enhanced or reduced levels of activity. This investigation showed that NaPCP is able to modulate the immune system of marine mussels with the potential risk of increased susceptibility to infection. FlO $30
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEMOCYTES Jane Radford. Australia
David
Raftos
School
of Biological
POLLUTANTS ON TIJNICATE Sciences,
MacquarieUniversity,North
Ryde,
NSW,
2 109,
Tunicates are filter feeding marine invertebrates. As such, they are likely to be particularly susceptible to marine pollutants. Previously we have shown that tunicate defense (immunological) responses are profoundly affected by tributyltin (TBT) and copper, both of which are common components of marine anti-fouling paints. Our current study tests the effects of these pollutants on the hemocytes of tunicates. First, 8 distinct hemocyte types were characterised by a combination of histology and serological analyses using a panel of anti-hemocyte monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAb reactivity was then used in a rapid flow cytometric assay to detect changes in the relative frequency of hemocyte types after exposure to pollutants. It was demonstrated that exposure to both TBT and copper alters the frequencies of hemocyte types. Responses to the two pollutants differed, suggesting that each pollutant exerts unique effects on the physiology of tunicates. TBT affected most hemocyte types, particular refractile vacuolated cells. Changes were evident in the relative frequency, morphology and tissue distribution of refractile vacuolated cells after exposure to TBT. Exposure to copper did not alter the frequency of refractile vacuolated hemocytes, but resulted in the accumulation of non-refractile vacuolated cells in the pharynx. The results suggest that pollutants can directly affect the structure and tissue distribution of hemocytes, and can alter developmental and differentiation pathways.
Abstracts of the 7th Congress of the ISDCI:SessionF F9 4:15
INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM PENTACHLOROPHENOL ON THE IMMUNE! SYSTEM OF MARINE MUSSELS. Florence M., M. CarissanlgL3, Thomas H. Hutchinson2, Andy R. Beaumont1 & Richard K. Pipe3. School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, North Wales LL575EY U.K.; Brixham Environmental Laboratory, ZENECA Ltd.. Brixham Devon TQ58BA U.K.; Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PLl 2PB, U.K.
Several studies have demonstrated that environmental contaminants can affect the immune system of marine bivalve molluscs. One important class bf marine contaminants is the chlorinated phenols, including pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its sodium salt (NaPCP). Since their introduction in 1936, these compounds are still extensively used and further investigation of their potential environmental effects are warranted. A pilot experiment was carried out to assessthe potential effects of NaPCP on the immune response of the marine mussel, M. edulis L. A series of assays,comprising total and differential blood cell counts, phagocytosis, release of intracellular superoxide anions and cytochemically determined activities for phenoloxidase and peroxidase, was undertaken on adult mussels. The animals were exposed to nominal concentrations of NaPCP (0, 2, 20 and 200 pg.l-1) for 2 weeks. Mussels were sampled and the assays performed following 0, 7 days and 14 days exposure. Samples were also taken for population genetic analysis. Significant differences in the immune aspects investigated were observed, with individual assays showing either enhanced or reduced levels of activity. This investigation showed that NaPCP is able to modulate the immune system of marine mussels with the potential risk of increased susceptibility to infection. FlO $30
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEMOCYTES Jane Radford. Australia
David
Raftos
School
of Biological
POLLUTANTS ON TIJNICATE Sciences,
MacquarieUniversity,North
Ryde,
NSW,
2 109,
Tunicates are filter feeding marine invertebrates. As such, they are likely to be particularly susceptible to marine pollutants. Previously we have shown that tunicate defense (immunological) responses are profoundly affected by tributyltin (TBT) and copper, both of which are common components of marine anti-fouling paints. Our current study tests the effects of these pollutants on the hemocytes of tunicates. First, 8 distinct hemocyte types were characterised by a combination of histology and serological analyses using a panel of anti-hemocyte monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAb reactivity was then used in a rapid flow cytometric assay to detect changes in the relative frequency of hemocyte types after exposure to pollutants. It was demonstrated that exposure to both TBT and copper alters the frequencies of hemocyte types. Responses to the two pollutants differed, suggesting that each pollutant exerts unique effects on the physiology of tunicates. TBT affected most hemocyte types, particular refractile vacuolated cells. Changes were evident in the relative frequency, morphology and tissue distribution of refractile vacuolated cells after exposure to TBT. Exposure to copper did not alter the frequency of refractile vacuolated hemocytes, but resulted in the accumulation of non-refractile vacuolated cells in the pharynx. The results suggest that pollutants can directly affect the structure and tissue distribution of hemocytes, and can alter developmental and differentiation pathways.