After the Prestige oil spill modifications in NO production and other parameters related to the immune response were detected in hemocytes of Mytilus galloprovincialis.
In marine mollusks, many physiologic functions are regulated seasonally depending on such factors as the reproductive cycle or the presence of food. The synthesis of nitric oxide by hemocytes of Mytilus galloprovincialis is among the multiple physiologic actions in the immune response, and it is also affected by season. The maximal basal production of NO by hemocytes of M. galloprovincialis was detected in summer, whereas the minimum values were detected in winter. In winter, the presence of IL-2 induced an increase in NO production that was not detected in summer. Three months after the Prestige oil spill (November 2002), basal NO production by the hemocytes of mussels in the Galician coast showed a progressive decrease and stopping, both in summer and in winter. The characteristic increase of NO synthesis induced by IL-2 in winter also disappeared all through 2003 and 2004. The two different nitric oxide synthases previously identified by immunoblotting between 1999 and 2002 were undetectable in both 2003 and 2004. When comparing the data obtained during 2003 and 2004 to those obtained in previous years, an increase in the proportion of SH cells was detected. Also, these cells showed a higher sensitivity to apoptosis- and necrosis-inducing agents than in earlier years.
Novas
Ana
A
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Campus of Lugo, School of Veterinary Medicine, E-27002 Lugo, Spain.
Barcia
Ramiro
R
Ramos-Martínez
Juan Ignacio
JI
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000276:immunology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D049878:Mytilus / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D010578:Petroleum / Q000506:poisoning*; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000506:poisoning*
D010578:Petroleum; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003513:Cycloheximide