A Preliminary Study of Phagocytotic Mechanism in Abalone (Haliotis diversicolor) Hemocyte

Abstract

In this study, three aspects of phagocytotic mechanisms in abalone (Haliotis diversicolor) hemocyte have been demonstrated. First, the hemocytes present both opnin-dependent or-independent phagocytosis. However, the plasma, which has putative opsonin in it, can enhance phagocytosis up to almost two times higher than that without plasma. Second, phagocytotic activity of abalone hemocytes to yeast can be inhibited by mannan or laminarin (components of yeast cell wall). It inferred that there may present lectins on hemocyte surface, which can enhance phagocytosis. Third, the hemocytes can phagocyte acLDL, which is a specific ligand of Scavenger receptor. Thus, it strongly suggested that hemocytes should have Scavenger receptors on their surfaces. On the other hand, so far, though we did not observe any difference in PKC activity during phagocytosis, or any change in phagocytotic behavior when treating the cell with NOS inhibitor or NO donor, it is worth to unravel the signalling pathway and the role of Nitrite Oxide on abalone hemocyte phagocytosis.