Abstract
Although marine invertebrates are exposed to increasing amount of chemicals immune modulation and susceptibility to diseases have been poorly investigated. Manganese (Mn) can during hypoxy, that frequently occurs as a consequence of eutrophication of coastal areas, release from the sediments and convert to its bioaviable form. Recently, we discovered that Mn significantly affected the immunity of Nephrops norvegicus. The aim of this project is to investigate Mn effects on haematopoiesis and activation of haemocytes in two model organisms, Ciona intestinalis and Mytilus edulis, representing deuterostomes and protostomes. Mn effect on maturation of haemocytes will be judged using c-DNA probes and in situ hybridisation. Likewise the activation of antimicrobial peptides and the prophenoloxidase system will be investigated at m-RNA level. In addition the consequences for immune defence will be performed by studying the bactericidal capacity of haemocytes of macrobentic species from Skagerrak and The Baltic Sea. The relationship between high Mn levels and infections of N. norvegicus will be investigated in a field study.
Sweden