Hypoxia-mediated immunotoxicity in the blood clam Tegillarca granosa

Yu Zhan; Shanjie Zha; Zhilan Peng; Zhihua Lin; Yongbo Bao

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105632

Hypoxia-mediated immunotoxicity in the blood clam Tegillarca granosa

Mar Environ Res. 2022 May:177:105632. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105632. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Authors

Yu Zhan¹, Shanjie Zha², Zhilan Peng², Zhihua Lin³, Yongbo Bao⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang, College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China.
² Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang, College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang, College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China; Ninghai Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai, 315604, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang, College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China; Ninghai Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai, 315604, China. Electronic address: bobbao2001@gmail.com.

PMID: 35439659
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105632

Abstract

In marine ecosystems, dissolved oxygen (DO) is essential for maintaining intracellular energy balance during aerobic metabolism. Bivalve mollusks are frequently exposed to hypoxia environments due to tides, temperature changes, and anthropogenic activities. The blood clam, Tegillarca granosa, mainly inhabits intertidal mudflats and is more susceptible to low oxygen events. In this study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on immune responses in clams, and showed that hypoxia exposure reduced total hemocyte counts (THC), hemoglobin concentrations, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Also, phagocytic and cell activities of hemocyte were significantly inhibited. Furthermore, immune-related gene expression was also down-regulated. In conclusion, hypoxia greatly affected immune functions in blood clams, and our research provided the foundation for further mechanistic studies on hypoxia tolerance in clams.

Keywords: Dissolved oxygen; Hemocyte; Hypoxia; Immune-related genes; Immunotoxicity; Tegillarca granosa.

MeSH terms

Animals
Arcidae*
Bivalvia*
Ecosystem
Hemocytes
Hypoxia
Oxygen
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical
Oxygen