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First Evidence of Altered Immune Responses and Resistance to Air Exposure in the Clam Chamelea gallina Exposed to Benzo(a)pyrene

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Abstract

Effects of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] (at a nominal concentration of 0.5 mg/L) on immune responses of the clam Chamelea gallina were investigated after 1, 7, and 12 days exposure. Total hemocyte count (THC), hemocyte volume, phagocytic activity, lysozyme-like activity in both hemocyte lysate (HL) and cell-free hemolymph (CFH) were measured. As unexpected alterations in hemocyte adhesion capability were observed in short-term hemocyte cultures for phagocytosis assays after a 1-day exposure, an adhesion test (not included in the original experimental setup) was performed after 7 and 12 days of exposure only. The survival-in-air test was carried out to evaluate general stress conditions in B(a)P-exposed clams. No alterations in THC was observed, whereas exposure for 7 and 12 days to B(a)P significantly decreased phagocytic activity and adhesion capability when compared with controls. Significant decreases in lysozyme activity were observed in CFH and HL, with respect to controls. B(a)P was also shown to alter the resistance to air exposure of clams. The LT50 values fell from 9 days in control clams to 7 days in 1-day-exposed animals, and from 6 days in control clams to 5 days in 7-day-exposed bivalves. No significant variations in LT50 values were recorded after 12 days of exposure. Results highlight a relationship between B(a)P exposure and alterations in hemocyte functionality and suggest that the contaminant induced irreversible immunosuppression in C. gallina, by altering phagocytic activity, adhesion capability, and enzymatic activity. Conversely, reduction in resistance to air exposure was reversible, suggesting that impairment of important physiological functions of clams occurred in the first phases of exposure only.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Italian MiPAF to Dr. O. Cattani (contribution No. 6C66).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy

    Valerio Matozzo & Maria Gabriella Marin

  2. Department of Biochemistry “G. Moruzzi”, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy

    Marta Monari, Jurgen Foschi, Otello Cattani & Gian Paolo Serrazanetti

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  1. Valerio Matozzo
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  2. Marta Monari
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  3. Jurgen Foschi
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Correspondence to Maria Gabriella Marin.

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Matozzo, V., Monari, M., Foschi, J. et al. First Evidence of Altered Immune Responses and Resistance to Air Exposure in the Clam Chamelea gallina Exposed to Benzo(a)pyrene. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56, 479–488 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9212-8

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