In vitro effects of methylmercury on ascidian (Styela plicata) immunocyte responses

This study shows that high methylmercury concentrations are cytotoxic for Styela plicata hemocytes, whereas sublethal concentrations affect immunocyte responses. Moreover, hemocytes exposed to the xenobiotic present a significantly enhanced phenoloxidase activity as revealed in the hemocyte lysate supernatant compared with the control. Although the cytotoxic activity of S. plicata hemocytes toward rabbit erythrocytes is a PO‐dependent cell‐target reaction due to quinone products, it was significantly decreased by suitable methylmercury concentrations in the medium. The same xenobiotic concentrations decreased the hemocyte phagocytic activity toward yeast. In both the responses cell‐target contacts could be affected by methylmercury, whereas the releasing capacity appeared to be unchanged, as indicated by hemocyte PO‐release in the medium. Finally, changes in hemocyte shape and spreading capacity were shown. On the basis of the present results, Styela plicata hemocyte responses could be an additional immunotoxicology test using a microplate method that reveals cell morphological changes and spreading capacity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

氨态氮、亚硝态氮对罗氏沼虾免疫相关酶类的影响

氨态氮和亚硝态氮是虾类养殖环境中最主要的污染物.在1 mg/L非离子氨态氮和1 mg/L亚硝态氮的作用条件下,罗氏沼虾血清、肝胰腺和肌肉中的酚氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶、碱性磷酸酶及酸性磷酸酶活力变化不同,经1、4、7及10天处理后,血清和肌肉酚氧化酶活力均有所降低,而肝胰腺的酚氧化酶活力则略有增高;各组织中的超氧化物歧化酶活力基本变化过程为,先增高后降低;各组织的两种磷酸酶活力则有不同程度的增高.酚氧化酶与超氧化物歧化酶活性可作为判断虾类免疫抗病能力的指标,而两种磷酸酶活性则仅可作辅助参数.