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Modulation of haemocyte motility by chemical and biological stresses in Mytilus edulis and Dreissena polymorpha
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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.
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Bisphenol A and microplastics weaken the antimicrobial ability of blood clams by disrupting humoral immune responses and suppressing hemocyte chemotactic activity
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Researchers investigated how bisphenol A and microplastics, alone and combined, affect the immune defenses of blood clams (Tegillarca granosa). They found that both pollutants weakened the clams' antimicrobial ability by disrupting humoral immune responses and reducing the movement of immune cells toward infection sites. The study suggests that co-exposure to these common environmental contaminants could leave marine bivalves more vulnerable to disease.
Differential Modulation by Polystyrene Microplastics on the Toxic Effects of Pyrene and Its Derivatives in the Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis: Insights from Hemolymph Biomarkers
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Scientists found that when common plastic pollution (microplastics) mixes with certain chemical byproducts from burned fuel and other sources (PAH derivatives), the plastic can actually make things worse for mussels' nervous systems, even while it sometimes reduces other types of cell damage. This matters because mussels are a popular seafood, and the study shows that pollutants don't act alone in the ocean—plastic can change how toxic other chemicals become, which is important for understanding real-world risks in the food we eat from the sea.
Physiological and biochemical responses to caffeine and microplastics in Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to caffeine and microplastics both separately and together to measure their combined effects. The combination caused greater oxidative stress and changes in cell function than either pollutant alone. While focused on mussels, the study is relevant to human health because mussels are widely eaten as seafood and can accumulate both microplastics and chemical contaminants.
The adverse impact of microplastics and their attached pathogen on hemocyte function and antioxidative response in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers examined how microplastics carrying pathogenic bacteria affect the immune system of mussels. They found that while microplastics alone caused moderate immune cell disruption, the combination of microplastics and Vibrio bacteria significantly weakened antioxidant defenses and triggered cell death in mussel blood cells. The study demonstrates that microplastics can act as a "Trojan horse," delivering harmful pathogens into marine organisms and amplifying their toxic effects.
Potential threats of microplastics and pathogenic bacteria to the immune system of the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis
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This study found that microplastics weakened the immune system of Mediterranean mussels, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infections from Vibrio, a common marine pathogen. Long-term microplastic exposure drained the mussels' energy reserves and suppressed their immune defenses, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Since these mussels are widely consumed as seafood, microplastic-driven disease susceptibility could affect both mussel populations and the safety of shellfish for human consumption.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.