Identification and characterization of serum complement activity in the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Merchant, Mark; McFatter, Justin; Mead, Stephanie; McAdon, Charles; Wasilewski, Joe

doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.07.016

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…We found that box turtle plasma antimicrobial activity was significantly reduced following treatment with protease, heat, and EDTA, indicating that the underlying mechanism is likely complement‐mediated. The complement cascade can be activated using one of three pathways: classical, alternative, or lectin; each of which has been documented in different reptilian species (Baker & Merchant, 2018b; Baker, Kessler, Darville‐Bowleg, & Merchant, 2019; Merchant & Britton, 2006; Merchant, Determan, Falconi, & Shirley, 2013; Merchant, McFatter, Mead, McAdon, & Wasilewski, 2010; Merchant, Verret, & Elsey, 2005). Further testing is necessary to determine which of the three complement pathways is utilized in eastern and ornate box turtles, and to characterize additional components of innate immunity in these species including natural antibodies, lysozyme, toll‐like receptors, and others.…”

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confidence: 99%

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

et al. 2020

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Chelonians are one of the most imperiled vertebrate taxa and many species are increasingly threatened by disease, however, the immune response in this group is understudied. We quantified the innate immune response of eastern (Terrapene carolina; EBT) and ornate (Terrapene ornate; OBT) box turtles using plasma antibacterial activity assays. Plasma from both species abolished or significantly reduced the growth of all eight bacterial species evaluated, including Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundi, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Bactericidal capacity was greater in OBT compared to EBT, and OBT plasma retained high antibacterial activities at a broader temperature range (20-40°C) compared to EBT (30-40°C). Plasma antibacterial activity was abolished following treatment with heat, protease, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, indicating that complement is likely responsible for the observed effects. Further characterization of the box turtle immune response may provide insight into the importance of infectious diseases for species conservation, enabling the development of more efficient and effective population management strategies. K E Y W O R D S box turtle, chelonian, innate immunity, reptile, Terrapene

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

et al. 2020

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“…For instance, serum complement activities have been described for the American alligator [19], the freshwater and saltwater crocodiles [20], the broad-snouted caiman [21], and the American crocodile [22]. In addition, dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity has been characterized in the American alligator [23] and the American crocodile [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Serum Phospholipase A2 Activities of All Known Extant Crocodylian Species

Merchant¹,

McAdon²,

Mead³

et al. 2017

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Serum samples from all 23 extant crocodilian species were tested for phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activity against nine different bacterial species. The data were used to generate a PLA 2 activity profile for each crocodilian species, and the data were used to compare the activities of the three main lineages (Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae), the seven different genera, and to compare all of the 23 individual species. The data revealed that the three lineages of crocodilians (Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae) exhibited PLA 2 activities toward nine species of bacteria that were statistically distinguishable. In addition, the PLA 2 activities of crocodilians in a specific genus tended to be more similar to other members in their genus than to members of other crocodilian genera.

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“…In higher vertebrates, such as mammals, both the innate and acquired immune components are well-developed [23]. However, the immune systems of reptilians are believed to have a less developed acquired immune system [24], but the innate immunity of some, particularly crocodilians, have been shown to have a highly developed innate immunity [25][26][27][28][29]. In addition, it has been suggested that more ancient poikilothermic vertebrates, such as teleost fish [30][31][32] and crocodilians [33], have followed the evolutionary path to develop a more efficient innate immune system, while mammals have developed more effective adaptive immunity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of serum complement activity in serum of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

Merchant¹,

Henry²,

Falconi³

et al. 2012

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Incubation of different volumes of serum from the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) resulted in volume-dependent hemolysis, as measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm. The hemolysis occurred rapidly, with almost 90% of the hemolytic activity occurring within 20 min of incubation. A thermal profile showed that Komodo dragon serum exhibited low activity from 5- 20℃, but exerted maximum activity at 35℃, which was substantially reduced at 40℃. The maximum activity was observed near optimal temperatures to which Komodo dragons thermoregulate. Mild heat treatment of Komodo dragon serum (56℃, 30 min) depleted the ability to hemolyze SRBCs. In addition, preincubation of Komodo dragon serum with only 5 mM EDTA or phosphate, both chelators of divalent metal ions, reduced the hemolytic activity sharply. These results indicate that the hemolytic activity was due to the presence of a potent serum complement system. Incubation of Komodo dragon serum with 5 mM EDTA and 15 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+, but not Ba2+, Zn2+, or Fe2+, completely restored activity. These results indicate that Komodo dragon serum complement activity requires the presence of Mg2+ or Ca2+. This is the first assessment of innate immune activity of a Varanid

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Identification and characterization of serum complement activity in the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Cited by 18 publications

References 16 publications

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

Comparison of Serum Phospholipase A2 Activities of All Known Extant Crocodylian Species

Characterization of serum complement activity in serum of the Komodo dragon (<i>Varanus komodoensis</i>)

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Identification and characterization of serum complement activity in the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Cited by 18 publications

References 16 publications

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

Comparison of Serum Phospholipase A2 Activities of All Known Extant Crocodylian Species

Characterization of serum complement activity in serum of the Komodo dragon (&lt;i&gt;Varanus komodoensis&lt;/i&gt;)

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Characterization of serum complement activity in serum of the Komodo dragon (<i>Varanus komodoensis</i>)