Mollusca

Smolowitz, Roxanna

doi:10.1002/9781119507697.ch6

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Histologically, we observed mild and insignificant alterations in the gill lamellae, which is consistent with previous studies that found no significant organic tissue changes [64,65]. The histological structure of the gills analyzed reflects the normal histology of this organ [66][67][68][69]. Based on these results, the observed alterations are not indicative of significant tissue damage.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Alesci,

Di Paola,

Marino

et al. 2024

Fishes

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The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a major concern for the conservation of biodiversity. Numerous studies show the detrimental effects of MPs on marine species, especially because of their small size and their capacity to absorb organic contaminants from their surroundings. The bivalve mollusk Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789), because of its wide geographic distribution and immobile feeding habits, can be used as a sentinel and bioindicator species. By examining the presence, localization, and co-localization of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), this study aims to evaluate the response of the internal defense system of C. glaucum to pristine MPs through the employment of confocal microscopy and bioinformatics techniques. The results show haemocytes immunoreactive to the antibodies tested; in particular, a higher number of TLR2-positive haemocytes can be observed in the group exposed to pristine MPs. These findings suggest that haemocytes can play a key biomarker role as sentinels to environmental pollutants. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses on the antibodies tested confirmed an evolutionary conservation of these molecules. These data highlight the critical role of phagocytosis in identifying ecosystem damage and are helpful in developing biosensors with less negative effects on the environments in which they are applied.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Alesci,

Di Paola,

Marino

et al. 2024

Fishes

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“…Moreover, we found mucocytes in the interlamellar junction. In the same way, Smolowitz (2021) found a prominent quantity of mucous cells in the epithelium lining the interlamellar junctions and other mucous cells in the epithelium lining the water tubules. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) combined with Alcian blue (AB) at pH 2.5 (Culling, 1974) is employed to demonstrate the presence of polysaccharides: neutral polysaccharides stained pink and acid polysaccharides stained blue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

The odd couple: Caffeine and microplastics. Morphological and physiological changes in Mytilus galloprovincialis

Impellitteri,

Briglia,

Porcino

et al. 2024

Microscopy Res & Technique

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In recent years, the presence of pharmaceuticals and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems has raised concerns about their environmental impact. This study explores the combined effects of caffeine, a common pharmaceutical pollutant, and MPs on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Caffeine, at concentrations of 20.0 μg L−1, and MPs (1 mg L−1, 35–50 μm size range), was used to mimic real‐world exposure scenarios. Two hundred M. galloprovincialis specimens were divided into four groups: caffeine, MPs, Mix (caffeine + MPs), and Control. After a two‐week acclimation period, the mollusks were subjected to these pollutants in oxygen‐aerated aquariums under controlled conditions for 14 days. Histopathological assessments were performed to evaluate gill morphology. Cellular volume regulation and digestive gland cell viability were also analyzed. Exposure to caffeine and MPs induced significant morphological changes in M. galloprovincialis gills, including cilia loss, ciliary disk damage, and cellular alterations. The chitinous rod supporting filaments also suffered damage, potentially due to MP interactions, leading to hemocyte infiltration and filament integrity compromise. Hemocytic aggregation suggested an inflammatory response to caffeine. In addition, viability assessments of digestive gland cells revealed potential damage to cell membranes and function, with impaired cell volume regulation, particularly in the Mix group, raising concerns about nutrient metabolism disruption and organ function compromise. These findings underscore the vulnerability of M. galloprovincialis to environmental pollutants and emphasize the need for monitoring and mitigation efforts.Research Highlights The synergy of caffeine and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems warrants investigation. MPs and caffeine could affect gill morphology of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Caffeine‐exposed cells had lower viability than the control group in the NR retention test. MPs and mix‐exposed cells struggled to recover their volume.

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“…150,151 The foot of freshwater mussels is covered by a ciliated epithelium with an underlying layer of dense connective tissue with muscle fibers and mucous glands, and a core of muscle bundles permeated by sinusoids. 181 In one report, a 3 mm × 2 mm well-demarcated, firm papilliform growth extended from the lateral edge of the ventral foot of a mature male. 150 The mass was composed of irregularly arranged glandular cells and small myofibers covered by convoluted, vacuolated epithelium that formed deep crypts.…”

Section: Disturbances Of Growthmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…A review of normal histology of several unionid species can be found in McElwain and Bullard, 134 and a broader review of bivalve histology is provided in Smolowitz. 181…”

Section: Gross Anatomy and Histopathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathology and infectious agents of unionid mussels: A primer for pathologists in disease surveillance and investigation of mortality events

et al. 2023

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Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in the world, and more than 30 species have gone extinct in the last century. While habitat alteration and destruction have contributed to the declines, the role of disease in mortality events is unclear. In an effort to involve veterinary pathologists in disease surveillance and the investigation of freshwater mussel mortality events, we provide information on the conservation status of unionids, sample collection and processing techniques, and unique and confounding anatomical and physiological differences. We review the published accounts of pathology and infectious agents described in freshwater mussels including neoplasms, viruses, bacteria, fungi, fungal-like agents, ciliated protists, Aspidogastrea, Digenea, Nematoda, Acari, Diptera, and Odonata. Of the identified infectious agents, a single viral disease, Hyriopsis cumingii plague disease, that occurs only in cultured mussels is known to cause high mortality. Parasites including ciliates, trematodes, nematodes, mites, and insects may decrease host fitness, but are not known to cause mortality. Many of the published reports identify infectious agents at the light or ultrastructural microscopy level with no lesion or molecular characterization. Although metagenomic analyses provide sequence information for infectious agents, studies often fail to link the agents to tissue changes at the light or ultrastructural level or confirm their role in disease. Pathologists can bridge this gap between identification of infectious agents and confirmation of disease, participate in disease surveillance to ensure successful propagation programs necessary to restore decimated populations, and investigate mussel mortality events to document pathology and identify causality.

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Mollusca

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

Exploring the Internal Defense System of Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière, 1789) Exposed to Pristine Microplastics: The Sentinel Role of Haemocytes as Biomarkers

The odd couple: Caffeine and microplastics. Morphological and physiological changes in Mytilus galloprovincialis

Pathology and infectious agents of unionid mussels: A primer for pathologists in disease surveillance and investigation of mortality events

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