Calcein accumulation in mussel blood cells

Incubation of mussel blood cells with the lipophylic compound calcein-AM led these cells to hydrolyse this organic chemical into its charged and fluorescent form, calcein. The distribution of this dye was mainly concern with the lysosomal compartment, as visualised by confoncal laser microscopy. Assessment of blood cell calcein accumulation with a microtiter plate reader showed that calcein fluorescence was lower in mussel cells from organisms collected at a polluted site and from organisms treated with vincristine than in cells from organisms sampled in a pristine area. Furthermore this accumulation was sensitive to verapamil, vincristine, simazine and sodium azide. As the sensitivity to MXR modulators was low, these results suggest that the use of assessment of calcein accumulation in mussel blood cells using a microtiter plate reader as a new biomarker tool for environmental purposes needs further study.