We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Modulation of haemocyte motility by chemical and biological stresses in Mytilus edulis and Dreissena polymorpha
Summary
This study found that common pollutants, including Bisphenol A (found in some plastics), copper, caffeine, and estrogen, slow down the movement of mussels' immune cells, making it harder for these cells to fight off bacterial infections. This matters because mussels are a food source and environmental indicator species, so if pollution is weakening their immune defenses, it signals broader risks for ocean health and the safety of seafood we consume. While this research was done in mussels, it adds to growing evidence that everyday chemical exposures can interfere with immune function across species.
Mussels are constantly exposed to various pollutants in the environment, which can impair their immune defences against microbes and thus threaten their survival. In this study, we expand the insight into a key parameter of immune response in two mussel species by exploring the impact of exposure to pollutants or bacteria or simultaneous chemical and biological exposure on haemocyte motility. Basal haemocyte velocity in primary culture was high and increasing over time in Mytilus edulis (mean cell speed of 2.32 μm/min ± 1.57) whereas Dreissena polymorpha showed a constant and rather low cell motility with time (mean cell speed of 0.59 μm/min ± 0.1). In the presence of bacteria, the motility of haemocytes was instantly enhanced and slowed down after 90 min for M. edulis. In contrast, in vitro exposure of haemocytes to chemicals, either Bisphenol A, oestradiol, copper, or caffeine, induced an inhibition of cell motility in both mussel species. Finally, the cellular activation observed during bacterial challenges was inhibited by simultaneous exposure to bacteria and pollutants. Overall, our results indicate that chemical contaminants can alter haemocyte migration in mussels which can weaken their response to pathogens and therefore increase their susceptibility to infectious diseases.