Extraction, purification and evaluation of the phagocytic activity of echinochrome in the sea urchins Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816).

Author(s)

Andrews Krupinski Emerenciano

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2014-06-27

Examining board members

Jose Roberto Machado Cunha da Silva; Vicente Gomes; Daniel Carvalho Pimenta

• Advisor: Jose Roberto Machado Cunha da Silva

Abstract

The biosynthesis of echinochrome is mediated by red sphere cell. This naphthoquinonic e pigment presents antioxidant and bactericidal characteristics. However, the echinochrome role in immune response remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the innate immune response of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. To this purpose, the echinochrome was extracted and purified by RP-HPLC. Finally, phagocytic amoebocytes were exposed to different concentrations of echinochrome (50 and 100 mg/ml), when phagocytic activity was analysed. Here, we showed that echinochrome positively modulate phagocytosis, increasing the number of phagocytizing cells. The concentration of 50 mg/ml activated phagocytic amoebocytes (AF), and increased the number of AF containing four or more phagocytosed yeasts. For the other hand, at 100 mg/ml exposure, the activation of AF also increased the number of AF with one, two, four or more yeast phagocytosed, suggesting a dose-dependent activity. Thus, the data presented demonstrated that echinochrome plays an important role in the immune response. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14129-0 - Action of echinochrome in the innate immune response of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816)
• Grantee: Andrews Krupinski Emerenciano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master