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Selected decrease of haemocytes of the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus (L.) (Gastropoda, Pulmonata) after
1Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena, Italy.
Experientia
|April 15, 1989
Summary
Bacterial infections reduce snail immune cells, likely due to factors in their blood. These snail immune cells also change their stickiness when exposed to bacterial byproducts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Invertebrate Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Phagocytic cells in snail hemolymph play a crucial role in immune defense.
- Bacterial infections can impact the number and function of these immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms behind the decrease of hemolymph phagocytic cells in Planorbarius corneus following bacterial challenge.
- To assess the in vitro adhesiveness of these cells in response to bacterial metabolic products.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial injection into Planorbarius corneus.
- Analysis of hemolymph for phagocytic cell counts.
- In vitro assays to measure cell adhesiveness.
Main Results:
- A decrease in hemolymph phagocytic cells was observed after bacterial injection.
- Evidence suggests humoral factors mediate this reduction.
- Snail phagocytic cells exhibited altered adhesiveness when exposed to bacterial metabolic products.
Conclusions:
- Humoral factors in the hemolymph likely contribute to the reduction of phagocytic cells during bacterial infection in Planorbarius corneus.
- Bacterial metabolic products influence the adhesive properties of snail phagocytic cells, potentially affecting their immune function.