MODULATION OF OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA-VIRGINICA) HEMOCYTE IMMUNE FUNCTION BY COPPER, AS MEASURED BY LUMINOL-ENHANCED CHEMILUMINESCENCE

The release by oyster (Crassostrea virginica) hemocytes of reactive oxygen intermediates, thought to be involved in host antimicrobial defense mechanisms, is stimulated by phagocytosis. This can be quantified by luminol-augmented chemiluminescence (LCL). Exposure of the hemocytes to sublethal concentrations of copper will produce a dose-dependent suppression of LCL. The results indicate that copper is a potential environmental immunotoxicant for mollusks, impairing the ability of the cells to mount a typical protective response.