Insights into ophiuroid coelomocytes: diversity and potential function in coelenterazine transfer in the bioluminescent brittle star Amphiura filiformis
(2025) Cahiers de Biologie Marine — Vol. 65, p. 357-369 (2024)
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- The brittle star Amphiura filiformis is a keystone species within the burrowing fauna assemblage in the fine, muddy sediments along the European coasts. With high regeneration and bioluminescence capabilities, it species emerged as a model species for many studies. However, only a few studies have investigated the cellular components of its coelomic fluid, which play roles in immunity and metabolite transport. The present study provides a detailed morphological description of the different perivisceral coelomocytes found in the brittle star A. filiformis, including the cell proportions and concentrations. For this purpose, we present a simple method for collecting coelomic circulating cells from small echinoderms with a limited volume of perivisceral fluid, using a needle to inject artificial seawater in the perivisceral coelom followed by an immediate recovery of the fluid containing coelomocytes. Six cell types were identified based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological similarities with coelomocytes in other brittle star and echinoderm species are discussed. Moreover, the involvement of this coelomic fluid in the transfer of the luminous substrate, coelenterazine, from the stomach content to photogenic sites is investigated, adding a step towards the understanding of this brittle star bioluminescence.
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Wambreuse, N., Coubris, C., Mallefet, J., Delroisse, J., Caulier Guillaume, & Duchatelet, L. (2025). Insights into ophiuroid coelomocytes: diversity and potential function in coelenterazine transfer in the bioluminescent brittle star Amphiura filiformis. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 65, 357-369. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/241978 (Original work published 2024)