In vitro superoxide production by hyaline cells of the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.).

This study examines the phagocytic hyaline cells of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, for a respiratory burst in vitro. Following stimulation of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), ferricytochrome c was reduced at 550 nm. Addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to the reaction mixture decreased this reduction, confirming that superoxide ions are produced by the stimulated hemocytes. Phytohemagglutinin, con A, and LPS were also shown to stimulate the cells although laminarin failed to elicit a burst. This is the first demonstration of a respiratory burst for crustacean hemocytes.