PCBS INCREASE MOLECULAR-RELATED ACTIVITIES (LYSOZYME, ANTIBACTERIAL, HEMOLYSIS, PROTEASES) BUT INHIBIT MACROPHAGE-RELATED FUNCTIONS (PHAGOCYTOSIS, WOUND-HEALING) IN EARTHWORMS

Both humoral and cellular immunodefense responses of the earthworms, E isenia fetida andrei, Eisenia hortensis, and Lumbricus terrestris, hav e been compared after exposure to the PCB Aroclor 1254. Responses medi ated by free factors, detected by in vitro assays for lysozyme, hemoly sis, and proteases, were increased in both Eisenia. Antibacterial acti vity directed against pathogenic bacteria was increased in E.f. andrei . The resistance of L. terrestris against nonpathogenic bacteria was d ecreased, confirming that the bacteria were treated by different syste ms according to their pathogenicity. Nonspecific cellular functions, i ncluding phagocytosis and those related to wound healing, decreased dr amatically in all earthworms. (C) 1995 Academic Press. Inc.