Evaluation of immune functions in captive immature loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

作者：Rousselet Estelle^*; Levin Milton; Gebhard Erika; Higgins Benjamin M; DeGuise Sylvain; Godard Codding Celine A J

来源：Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 2013, 156(1-2): 43-53.

DOI：10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.09.004

• Caretta caretta
• Lymphocyte proliferation
• Mitogen
• Natural killer
• Phagocytosis
• Respiratory burst
• Sea turtle

Sea turtles face numerous environmental challenges, such as exposure to chemical pollution and biotoxins, which may contribute to immune system impairment, resulting in increased disease susceptibility. Therefore, a more thorough assessment of the host%26apos;s immune response and its susceptibility is needed for these threatened and endangered animals. In this study, the innate and acquired immune functions of sixty-five clinically healthy, immature, captive loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were assayed using non-lethal blood sample collection. Functional immune assays were developed and/or optimized for this species, including mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer (NK) cell activity, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and phagocytes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation on Ficoll-Paque and discontinuous Percoll gradients, respectively. The T lymphocyte mitogens ConA significantly induced lymphocyte proliferation at 1 and 2 mu g/mL while PHA significantly induced lymphocyte proliferation at 5 and 10 mu g/mL. The B lymphocyte mitogen LPS significantly induced proliferation at 1 mu g/mL. Monocytes demonstrated higher phagocytic activity than eosinophils. In addition, monocytes exhibited respiratory burst. Natural killer cell activity was higher against YAC-1 than K-562 target cells. These optimized assays may help to evaluate the integrity of loggerhead sea turtle%26apos;s immune system upon exposure to environmental contaminants, as well as part of a comprehensive health assessment and monitoring program.

• 出版日期2013-11-15