Induction of cell migration and activation in mice by the freshwater sponge Drulia uruguayensis Bonetto & Ezcurra de Drago, 1968 (Porifera: Metaniidae)

Magalhães AO (1), Volkmer-Ribeiro C (2), Fujimoto LBM (3), Barbosa MF (3), Cardoso JL (4), Barcellos JFM (5), Silva CC (6), Campos RR (5), Cunha MCF (5), Freitas-Lemos AP (5), Dos-Santos MC (7)

(1) Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil; (2) Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Natural Sciences Museum, Zoo and Botanical Foundation of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil; (3) Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil; (4) Vital Brazil Hospital, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (5) Laboratory of Histology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil; (6) School of Chemical Engineering, State University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil; (7) Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil.

Abstract: Freshwater sponges are abundant in the Amazon region and they have been known to cause dermatitis (acute inflammation) since the beginning of the 20th century. To determine whether additional constituents, besides their body spicules, cause dermatological reactions in humans, an experimental study was developed and carried out using mice and Drulia uruguayensis prepared in three different forms: intact sponges (IS), macerated sponges (MS) or isolated spicules &endash; megascleres (ISM). The cells most commonly involved in inflammatory reactions (mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils), as well as intraepithelial lymphocytes and degranulated mast cells, were counted so that they could be used as parameters to determine which of the sponge preparations induced the greatest reaction. The effects of the sponge on the skin were then determined by histological analysis. The results obtained showed that IS caused the greatest inflammatory reaction (p = 0.000005), activating mainly mast cells (p = 0.0018). The histopathological analysis revealed a slight loss of continuity of the epidermis when ISM or IS were applied. These findings allow us to conclude that a structurally intact sponge can cause a greater inflammatory reaction in the first contact because of its ability to perforate the skin and allow inflammatory agents to enter. Other proteins present in dried sponge bodies could induce allergic but not toxic responses (in contact with the entire sponge, a large number of pharmacologically inert proteins may be introduced, with a potential allergen).

Key words: dermatitis, Amazonia, cauixi, freshwater sponges.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: August 31, 2010.

Accepted: December 6, 2010.

Abstract published online: December 7, 2010.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The State of Amazonas Research Foundation (FAPEAM), Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Institutional Committee for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Federal University of Amazonas and met the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (CIOMS, 1985).

CORRESPONDENCE TO

MARIA CRISTINA DOS SANTOS, Laboratório de Imunologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Av. General Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, Campus Universitário, Coroado I, Manaus, AM, Brasil. Phone: + 55 92 9981 3473. Email: mcsantos@ufam.edu.br.