1
|
Guglielmi MV, Mastrodonato M, Semeraro D, Mentino D, Capriello T, La Pietra A, Giarra A, Scillitani G, Ferrandino I. Aluminum exposure alters the pedal mucous secretions of the chocolate-band snail, Eobania vermiculata (Gastropoda: Helicidae). Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:1453-1466. [PMID: 38407429 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) is used in everyday life and present in food drugs, packaging, industry, and agriculture. Although it is the most common metal in the Earth crust, a correlation has been demonstrated between its presence and various pathologies, even serious ones, especially of a neurological type. However, there is a histological gap regarding the role Al can have in contact with the covering and secreting epithelia. The alterations of the ventral and dorsal foot mucocytes and their secretions of the snail Eobania vermiculata caused by Al were investigated in situ by histochemical and lectin-histochemical techniques. Administration to different experimental groups took place for 3 and 9 days with 50 and 200 μM of AlCl3. Several types of mucocytes were detected with a prevalent secretion of acid glycans in the foot of E. vermiculata. Sulfated glycans prevail in the dorsal region, with one type showing only fucosylated residues and another also having galactosaminylated and glycosaminylated residues. Carboxylated glycans prevail in the ventral region, with presence of galactosaminylated, glycosaminylated, and fucosylated residuals in both cells. Snails treated presented a general decrease of mucin amount in the secreting cells and affected the mucus composition. These changes could alter the rheological and functional properties of the mucus with possible implications for the health of the treated animals. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Snails were fed with Al-contaminated lettuce at different concentrations. In the foot mucocytes produced mucus with prevailing acidic glycans. In the treated resulted a reduction in the amount of mucus and an alteration of glycan composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vito Guglielmi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Mastrodonato
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Semeraro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Donatella Mentino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Capriello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Giarra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scillitani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Ida Ferrandino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu K, Zhang Z, Li G, Sun J, Gu T, Ain NU, Zhang X, Li D. Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 258:128878. [PMID: 38141709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Snail mucus had medical applications for wound healing as early as ancient Greece and the late Han Dynasty (China). A literature search found 165 modern research papers discussing the extraction methods, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, and applications of snail mucus. Thus, this review summarized the research progress on the extraction, structure, pharmacological activities, and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus. The extraction methods of snail mucus include natural secretion and stimulation with blunt force, spray, electricity, un-shelling, ultrasonic-assisted, and ozone-assisted. As a natural product, snail mucus mainly comprises two polysaccharides (glycosaminoglycan, dextran), seven glycoproteins (mucin, lectin), various antibacterial peptides, allantoin, glycolic acid, etc. It has pharmacological activities that encourage cell migration and proliferation, and promote angiogenesis and have antibacterial, anti-oxidative and anticancer properties. The mechanism of snail mucus' chemicals performing antibacterial and wound-healing was proposed. Snail mucus is a promising bioactive product with multiple medical applications and has great potential in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Therefore, this review provides a valuable reference for researching and developing snail mucus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kehan Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Guanqiang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiangcen Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Tianyi Gu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Noor Ul Ain
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Xicheng Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Duxin Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Krings W, Gorb SN. Particle binding capacity of snail saliva. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:185101. [PMID: 37955324 DOI: 10.1063/5.0176668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastropods forage with their radula, a thin chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, which scratch across the substrate to lose food particles. During this interaction, the risk of loosening particles is obvious without having a specialized mechanism holding them on the tooth surface. As mucus secretions are essential in molluscan life cycles and the locomotion and attachment gels are known to have an instant high adhesion, we have hypothesized that the saliva could support particle retention during feeding. As adhesion of snail saliva was not studied before, we present here an experimental setup to test its particle-binding capacity using a large land snail (Lissachatina fulica, Stylommatophora, Heterobranchia). This experiment was also applied to the gels produced by the snail foot for comparison and can be potentially applied to various fluids present at a small volume in the future. We found, that the saliva has high particle retention capacity that is comparable to the foot glue of the snail. To gain some insight into the properties of the saliva, we additionally studied it in the scanning electron microscope, estimated its viscosity in a de-wetting experiment, and investigated its elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveling higher contents of Ca, Zn and other potential cross-linkers similar to those found in the glue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wencke Krings
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, Universität Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Mammalogy and Palaeoanthropology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liegertová M, Malý J. Gastropod Mucus: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biological Activities, Applications, and Strategic Priorities. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5567-5579. [PMID: 37751898 PMCID: PMC10566510 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial gastropod mucus exhibits multifunctional attributes, enabling diverse applications. This comprehensive review integrates insights across biomedicine, biotechnology, and intellectual property to elucidate the bioactivities, physicochemical properties, and ecological roles of snail and slug mucus. Following an overview of mucus functional roles in gastropods, promising applications are highlighted in wound healing, antimicrobials, biomaterials, and cosmetics, alongside key challenges. An analysis of global patent trends reveals surging innovation efforts to leverage gastropod mucus. Strategic priorities include bioprospecting natural diversity, optimizing stabilization systems, recombinant biosynthesis, and fostering collaboration to translate promising potentials sustainably into impactful technologies. Ultimately, harnessing the remarkable multifunctionality of gastropod mucus holds immense opportunities for transformative innovations in biomedicine, biotechnology, and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Liegertová
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Malý
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Greistorfer S, von Byern J, Miller I, Meyer-Rochow VB, Farkas R, Steiner G. A histochemical and morphological study of the mucus producing pedal gland system in Latia neritoides (Mollusca; Gastropoda; Hygrophila). ZOOLOGY 2023; 156:126067. [PMID: 36586306 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2022.126067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The freshwater gastropod Latia neritoides is endemic to the streams of New Zealand's North Island. This species has evolved a unique defence system: it exudes a luminescent mucus thought to deter predators. While the bioluminescence itself has been investigated before, the underlying gland system has remained unstudied and relevant information to understand the defence system has been missing till now. For the release of the glowing mucus of L. neritoides two places of origin were assumed: the lateral foot area or the mantel cavity. In this study the focus was on the first suggestion. To gain insight into the defence system, morphological as well as histochemical analyses were performed involving all secretory gland types in the sub-epithelial foot layer. The results were compared with the foot gland system of Neritina sp., a snail living in a comparable habitat, but using a different survival strategy. The gland types of the two gastropods were compared and their mucus types were investigated. Seven subepithelial gland cell types can be distinguished in the foot region of L. neritoides. Neritina sp., in contrast, has six gland cell types of which three laterally located ones are epithelial. Both species show a pedal gland in the anterior foot region. A striking difference between the species are two prominent subepithelial gland cell types (L1l/L2l) in the lateral foot area of L. neritoides, which are missing in Neritina sp. These gland cells are distributed throughout the entire lateral foot area of L. neritoides and make up about 85% of the mucus gland cells in this area. Defence mucus and trail mucus of L. neritoides show different specificities in lectin staining, but are not equally represented in the gland cell types. Yet, based on the huge size and high density of L1l and L2L, we envision a role for these gland types in the defence system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Greistorfer
- Unit for Integrative Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Janek von Byern
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Miller
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu University, Oulu SF-90140, Finland; Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
| | - Robert Farkas
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Gerhard Steiner
- Unit for Integrative Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Greistorfer S, Suppan J, Cyran N, Klepal W, Farkas R, Rudoll L, von Byern J. Characterization of the Arion vulgaris pedal gland system. J Morphol 2020; 281:1059-1071. [PMID: 33448468 PMCID: PMC7496283 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The most common European gastropod species, Arion vulgaris, is one of the most troublesome pests for private garden owners and commercial agriculturists. The sticky and hard to remove secretion produced by these animals allows them to overcome most artificial and natural barriers. However, this highly adherent biopolymer has recently shown great potential for novel wound-healing applications in medicine. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the underlying gland system is still limited and few studies on the ventral gland system are available. We studied the lateral and ventral pedal glands in Arion vulgaris to determine their secretory content histochemically and through lectin assays. Using these histological and histochemical methods we differentiate five gland types with different mucus composition in the lateral pedal region of the foot of Arion vulgaris. These contain sulphated and carboxylated mucosubstances (positive Alcian blue staining) but lack hexose-containing mucosubstances (negative PAS staining). In the ventral pedal region, four gland types can be differentiated producing sulphated and carboxylated mucosubstances. Within the ventral mucus, a high affinity for the lectins PNA and WGA is observed. While the lateral glands are histochemically negative for PAS, a positive staining with the lectin JAC is observed. Arion vulgaris shows clear morphological differences from other arionid species. This raises the question whether the variation in the chemistry of the secretory material and mucus composition is the result of different functions and/or is related to the animals' different environmental conditions. A comparison of some glands of Arion vulgaris with those of the helicid species Helix pomatia and Cepaea hortensis indicates morphological similarities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Greistorfer
- Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Johannes Suppan
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Norbert Cyran
- Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Waltraud Klepal
- Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Robert Farkas
- Laboratory of Developmental GeneticsInstitute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislavaSlovakia
| | - Livia Rudoll
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Integrative ZoologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Janek von Byern
- Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue RegenerationLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical TraumatologyViennaAustria
| |
Collapse
|