| Abstract: | A luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay is currently being developed and tested with macrophages isolated from the kidneys of spot (Leiostomus xanthrus) and hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus). Both peak amplitude and time of maximum response have been observed to vary with the species tested and the stimulus used. In York River (reference), spot zymosan elicited the most immediate response with a peak at 18 min, while the response induced by Staphylococcus aureus was delayed (28 min). In York River (reference) hogchoker, the most immediate response was induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) with a peak at 7min. S. aureus and zymosan elicited somewhat delayed responses (13 min and 15 min, respectively). Macrophages from spot captured in the Elizabeth River, which is highly contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were markedly deficient in generating a zymosan-induced CL response compared with York River reference fish. Spot exposed in the laboratory to contaminated sediments showed a similar decrease in the CL response. |
