Soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) are molluscs which are indigenous to coastal New England. Soft-shell clams may develop tumors in the haemolymph which have been described as haematopoietic neoplasms (HN). Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that the prevalence of HN disease ranges form 8% - 27% when clams are collected from tidal flats with no or low-level pollution. However, the prevalence of HN disease sharply rises to as high as 90% when clams are collected from one site in New Bedford Harbor, a site contaminated with extremely high levels of PCB's and heavy metals in the sediments. The goals of the research to be carried out during this 4 year grant period are as follows: 1. to determine by immunochemical methods what cell surface proteins are identified by monoclonal antibodies specific for HN cells. 2. to determine by cell separation techniques if a subset of haemocytes is transformed as evaluated techniques if a subset of haemocytes is transformed as evaluated by EM and MAB studies. 3. to determine, by in vitro manipulation, whether or not retrovirus can be induced. 4. To determine by RFLP and southern-blot analysis using defined probes if retroviral sequences can be detected in HN cells. 5. to determine by light and electron microscopy if monoclonal antibodies cross react with certain tissues. Methods to be used include fluorescence activated cell sorter analyses, the generation, characterization and purification of monoclonal antibodies, in vitro culture of molluscan cells (potential) isolation of virus, SDS-polyacrylamide gels, histopathology, transblotting transmission and scanning electron microscopy, RFLP generation and southern blot analysis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA044307-02
Application #
3186869
Study Section
Experimental Immunology Study Section (EI)
Project Start
1987-08-10
Project End
1991-01-31
Budget Start
1989-02-01
Budget End
1990-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
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White, M K; Miosky, D; Flessas, D A et al. (1993) The expression of an adhesion-related protein by clam hemocytes. J Invertebr Pathol 61:253-9
Smolowitz, R M; Reinisch, C L (1993) A novel adhesion protein expressed by ciliated epithelium, hemocytes, and leukemia cells in soft-shell clams. Dev Comp Immunol 17:475-81

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