In conclusion, few investigators are devoted to the study of echinoderm
physiology in Brazil. This is a field that should receive more attention in the future.
Physiological knowledge of echinoderm species, both adults and larvae, is
essential for any initiative for the conservation of these invertebrates in a global
changing world.
9.2.4 Echinoderm Immunological Research
Brazilian research with echinoids includes physiological and innate immune
response of the tropical sea urchins L. variegatus and E. lucunter, as well as the
Antarctic Sterechinus neumayeri. General reviews of the innate immune response
in Brazilian echinoderms can be found in Silva et al. (2007) and Tajima et al.
(2007).
The stage at which phagocytosis can first be characterized in the embryos of the
sea urchin L. variegatus was investigated by microinjection of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae into its blastocoele. The starting point of phagocytic activity
reflects a biological capacity for distinguishing between self and non-self. Thus the
phagocytosis of yeast by mesenchymal cells beginning in the mid-gastrula stage in
L. variegatus may indicate the moment of acquisition of ‘‘identity’’ (self) in this
organism. Comparative aspects of embryo and adult phagocytes in L. variegatus
have been discussed (Silva 2000). A review on the role of the phagocytes on
embryos was carried out focusing on the following topics: (1) the search for the
origin and first identification of well known adult phagocytes in embryos,
including their role after induced injuries; (2) the search for the occurrence of
phagocytosis in embryos and its role during their physiological development; (3)
the search for phagocytosis in embryos, as a tool to study identity and self recognition. It is possible to verify that different cell types are able to undertake
phagocytosis under a variety of different stimuli and that the nature of phagocytosis also varies widely (Silva 2002).
Induced inflammatory processes in the sea urchins L. variegatus and E. lucunter
were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo studies using either yeast or India ink
confirming endocytic activity of free ferritin labeled perivisceral phagocytic
amoebocytes (Mangiaterra and Silva 2001; Faria and Silva 2008).
In recent years, studies on effects of oil contamination on sea urchins have been
conducted on Antarctic and tropical species. They showed that crystalloids can be
biomarkers for the analyses of low levels of water-soluble fractions of oil (WSF).
The Antarctic sea urchin S. neumayeri from regions free of pollution was exposed
for 2, 5, 10 and 15 days to different levels of WSF. This study characterized
histological alterations in crystalloids of S. neumayeri that could be used as
biomarkers for oil contaminants with a simple and inexpensive protocol (Borges
et al. 2010).
Global warming is a reality and its effects have been evaluated on the effect of
temperature increase on the innate immune system of the Antarctic sea urchin
310
C. R. R. Ventura et al.
physiology in Brazil. This is a field that should receive more attention in the future.
Physiological knowledge of echinoderm species, both adults and larvae, is
essential for any initiative for the conservation of these invertebrates in a global
changing world.
9.2.4 Echinoderm Immunological Research
Brazilian research with echinoids includes physiological and innate immune
response of the tropical sea urchins L. variegatus and E. lucunter, as well as the
Antarctic Sterechinus neumayeri. General reviews of the innate immune response
in Brazilian echinoderms can be found in Silva et al. (2007) and Tajima et al.
(2007).
The stage at which phagocytosis can first be characterized in the embryos of the
sea urchin L. variegatus was investigated by microinjection of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae into its blastocoele. The starting point of phagocytic activity
reflects a biological capacity for distinguishing between self and non-self. Thus the
phagocytosis of yeast by mesenchymal cells beginning in the mid-gastrula stage in
L. variegatus may indicate the moment of acquisition of ‘‘identity’’ (self) in this
organism. Comparative aspects of embryo and adult phagocytes in L. variegatus
have been discussed (Silva 2000). A review on the role of the phagocytes on
embryos was carried out focusing on the following topics: (1) the search for the
origin and first identification of well known adult phagocytes in embryos,
including their role after induced injuries; (2) the search for the occurrence of
phagocytosis in embryos and its role during their physiological development; (3)
the search for phagocytosis in embryos, as a tool to study identity and self recognition. It is possible to verify that different cell types are able to undertake
phagocytosis under a variety of different stimuli and that the nature of phagocytosis also varies widely (Silva 2002).
Induced inflammatory processes in the sea urchins L. variegatus and E. lucunter
were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo studies using either yeast or India ink
confirming endocytic activity of free ferritin labeled perivisceral phagocytic
amoebocytes (Mangiaterra and Silva 2001; Faria and Silva 2008).
In recent years, studies on effects of oil contamination on sea urchins have been
conducted on Antarctic and tropical species. They showed that crystalloids can be
biomarkers for the analyses of low levels of water-soluble fractions of oil (WSF).
The Antarctic sea urchin S. neumayeri from regions free of pollution was exposed
for 2, 5, 10 and 15 days to different levels of WSF. This study characterized
histological alterations in crystalloids of S. neumayeri that could be used as
biomarkers for oil contaminants with a simple and inexpensive protocol (Borges
et al. 2010).
Global warming is a reality and its effects have been evaluated on the effect of
temperature increase on the innate immune system of the Antarctic sea urchin
310
C. R. R. Ventura et al.