Comparative effects of cadmium, copper, paraquat and benzo[a]pyrene on the actin cytoskeleton and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mussel haemocytes.

The immune defence of mussels is comprised of cell-mediated and humoral mechanisms, in which haemocytes or blood cells play a key role. Environmental pollutants such as metallic and organic xenobiotics exert immunotoxical effects on aquatic organisms. Some of these xenobiotics are known to give rise to highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby leading to oxidative damage to tissue macromolecules including DNA, proteins and lipids. Previously we have detected enhancement of ROS production together with severe alterations in the actin cytoskeleton after exposure of mussel haemocytes to the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene (b[a]p). In a similar way, cadmium is also known to cause disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in mussel haemocytes, however it is not known whether this effect occurs by direct action or through ROS production. The aim of the present study was to decipher whether cytoskeletal alterations caused by Cd in mussel haemocytes are linked to increased ROS production. ROS-producing model compounds copper (Cu), paraquat and b[a]p were used in parallel experiments for comparative purposes. In all contaminant exposure experiments actin cytoskeleton appeared damaged. On the other hand, ROS production was increased in paraquat and b[a]p exposure experiments but decreased in haemocytes exposed to Cu while no significant effects were detected in Cd exposure experiments. In conclusion, it appears that deleterious effects of Cu and Cd on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton of haemocytes are not directly linked to ROS production, at least at the exposure conditions used in the present study.