Extracellular Vesicles and Post-Translational Protein Deimination Signatures in Mollusca-The Blue Mussel (), Soft Shell Clam (), Eastern Oyster () and Atlantic Jacknife Clam ().

Oysters and clams are important for food security and of commercial value worldwide. They are affected by anthropogenic changes and opportunistic pathogens and can be indicators of changes in ocean environments. Therefore, studies into biomarker discovery are of considerable value.

Extracellular vesicles and post-translational protein deimination signatures in haemolymph of the American lobster (Homarus americanus).

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is a commercially important crustacean with an unusual long life span up to 100 years and a comparative animal model of longevity. Therefore, research into its immune system and physiology is of considerable importance both for industry and comparative immunology studies. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a phylogenetically conserved enzyme family that catalyses post-translational protein deimination via the conversion of arginine to citrulline.

Post-translational protein deimination signatures and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).

The horseshoe crab is a living fossil and a species of marine arthropod with unusual immune system properties which are also exploited commercially. Given its ancient status dating to the Ordovician period (450 million years ago), its standing in phylogeny and unusual immunological characteristics, the horseshoe crab may hold valuable information for comparative immunology studies. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are calcium dependent enzymes that are phylogenetically conserved and cause protein deimination via conversion of arginine to citrulline.

The impact of ocean acidification on the byssal threads of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis).

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) produce byssal threads to anchor themselves to the substrate. These threads are always exposed to the surrounding environmental conditions. Understanding how environmental pH affects these threads is crucial in understanding how climate change can affect mussels.

Morphological characterization via light and electron microscopy of Atlantic jackknife clam (Ensis directus) hemocytes.

The Atlantic jackknife clam, Ensis directus, is currently being researched as a potential species for aquaculture operations in Maine. The goal of this study was to describe the hemocytes of this species for the first time and provide a morphological classification scheme. We viewed hemocytes under light microscopy (using Hemacolor, neutral red, and Pappenheim's stains) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Natural environmental impacts on teleost immune function.

The environment in which teleosts exist can experience considerable change. Short-term changes can occur in relation to tidal movements or adverse weather events. Long-term changes can be caused by anthropogenic impacts such as climate change, which can result in changes to temperature, acidity, salinity and oxygen capacity of aquatic environments.

Modulation of the immune system of fish by their environment.

The environment impacts on the physiology and psychology of animals in a wide variety of ways. If we can develop an understanding of how different environmental factors affect different processes we may be able to predict these changes and avoid or moderate deleterious events and the resultant changes in fish health and disease resistance. In this review, advances in the understanding of environmental impacts were identified in relation to specific areas of immune function.

The effect of oral immuno-stimulation in juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

The effect of a 2-week period of oral immuno-stimulation from the age of 2 or 6 weeks post-fertilisation (wpf; before and after reaching the ability to produce antibodies) onwards was investigated on various immune functions of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The immuno-stimulants Aeromonas salmonicida lipopolysaccharide, Yeast DNA (containing unmethylated CpG motifs) or high-M alginate (an extract of algae containing poly-mannuronic acid) were used. The effect of this treatment was studied on the kinetics of B cells in head kidney and peripheral blood leucocytes using flow cytometry, on the total plasma IgM level using ELISA, on cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the intestine, and acute phase protein expression in the liver, using real time quantitative PCR, and on exposure to Vibrio anguillarum.

Long-term study of antibody response and injection-site effects of oil adjuvants in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L).

Atlantic halibut were injected intraperitoneally with human gamma globulin suspended in either phosphate buffered saline, Freunds complete adjuvant or Montanide ISA711 to test the long-term effects of adjuvants. Every month for 12 months up to five animals from each group were sampled. The peritoneal cavity was examined and the adhesion level scored on an arbitrary scale.