Effect of in vitro exposure to zinc on immunological parameters of haemocytes from the marine gastropod Haliotis tuberculata.

TitleEffect of in vitro exposure to zinc on immunological parameters of haemocytes from the marine gastropod Haliotis tuberculata.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsMottin, E, Caplat, C, Mahaut, M-L, Costil, K, Barillier, D, Lebel, J-M, Serpentini, A
JournalFish Shellfish Immunol
Volume29
Issue5
Pagination846-53
Date Published2010 Nov
ISSN1095-9947
KeywordsAcid Phosphatase, Animals, Cells, Cultured, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Environmental Pollutants, Esterases, Flow Cytometry, France, Gastropoda, Hemocytes, In Vitro Techniques, Lethal Dose 50, Models, Immunological, Monophenol Monooxygenase, Phagocytosis, Reactive Oxygen Species, Tetrazolium Salts, Thiazoles, Zinc
Abstract

Environmental pollutants such as heavy metals exert immunotoxic effects on aquatic organisms. The immune defence of molluscs is comprised of cell-mediated and humoral mechanisms, in which haemocytes play a key role. In this study, a model based on primary cultured haemocytes from the gastropod mollusc Haliotis tuberculata was established to investigate the effects of zinc in vitro. Cells were exposed for 24 h to ZnCl(2) concentrations of 0, 10, 100 or 1000 microM. The effects of zinc on haemocyte parameters were investigated using morphological, spectrophotometric and flow cytometry analysis. Immunotoxicity was reflected by a significant decrease in the number of viable haemocytes (LC(50)(24 h) = 314 microM). Moreover, the cell area was dramatically reduced, and the percentage of rounded cells increased with increasing zinc concentrations. Exposure to 1000 muM zinc induced a significant reduction in acid phosphatase activity, phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species production in haemocytes. However, several haemocyte parameters increased significantly after 24 h of zinc exposure. In response to a 1000 microM exposure, the phenoloxidase level was 26-fold higher than that of the control, and non-specific esterase activity was increased by 69% above that of the control. These results suggest a relationship between zinc exposure and alterations in the functional responses of haemocytes from H. tuberculata.

DOI10.1016/j.fsi.2010.07.022
Alternate JournalFish Shellfish Immunol.
PubMed ID20659566