Marine turf of an invasive alga expels lugworms from the lower shore

Bare sandy flats at and below low tide level of the Wadden Sea (eastern North Sea, European Atlantic) were observed in 2020 to have been invaded by an introduced grass-like alga, Vaucheria cf. velutina (Xanthophyceae). A dense algal turf accumulated and stabilized mud, where resident seniors of the lugworm Arenicola marina had reworked rippled sand. Algae and worms were incompatible. Initially, rising patches with algal turf alternated with bare pits where lugworms crowded. Their bioturbation inhibited young algae, while the felt of established algal rhizoids clogged feeding funnels of worm burrows. Eventually, a mosaic pattern of competitors gave way to a coherent algal turf without lugworms. Concomitantly, a rich small-sized benthic fauna took advantage of the novel algal turf. This exotic Vaucheria may have the potential for drastically altering the ecological web at the lower shore.

Comparative Assessment of the Bioremediation Potential of Polychaetes (Lug worm-Arenicola marina sp and Syllidae Worm-Syllis prolifera sp) in Aquaculture Pond Sediment

Polychaetes play an important role in nutrient cycling and remediation of coastal ecosystems. Large quantities of organic matter that could lead to pollution of pond and coastal waters are generated by aquaculture waste. To assess the remediation prospects of Arenicola marina and Syllis prolifera species, laboratory sediment microcosm experiments were conducted where large size Arenicola marina and Syllis prolifera were introduced to sediment in microcosm A, large size Arenicola marina to sediment in microcosm B, large sized Syllis prolifera to sediment in microcosm C and no polychaetes to sediment in microcosm D. Microcosm A′, B′ and C′ as replicates for small size polychaetes were also set up, respectively. After 30 days, microcosm A, B and C had significant decrease in organic carbon levels with microcosm B being the highest (Total organic carbon (TOC); 27.87%; p< 0.05). Both large and small polychaetes promoted significant decrease in sulphur (S) content (mean=62.76±0.21; 62.81±0.21%) and iron(Fe) (mean=49.43±1.47; 36.28±5.90%) respectively. Increase in pH by 31.15±0.13% was found in the presence of large size polychaetes, most likely associated with the burrowing process involving oxidation of Fe to Fe2O3. Large size polychaetes had better survival (mean=92±0.82%) than their small size counterpart (mean=55±4.08%). The extent of biodegradation B>A>C>D observed revealed that large size Arenicola marina was a better bioremediator of organic matter (OM), Fe and S enriched aquaculture pond sediment, probably due to its biological characteristics, well suited for the aquaculture than other species of sea worms that produce free swimming larvae. Therefore, large size Arenicola marina significantly improved sediment quality as well as increased its pH without compromising their survival. As the search for a better bioremediator of organically enriched sediment continues, our result revealed large size Arenicola marina as a more promising candidate compared to other species documented elsewhere in the world. Hence, rearing of large size Arenicola marina sp is recommended as their feeding habits are well suited for aquaculture.

Marine Turf of an Invasive Alga Ousts Lugworms From Lower Shore

Bare sandy flats at and below low tide level were observed in 2020 to have been invaded by an introduced grass-like alga, Vaucheria cf. velutina (Xanthophyceae). A dense algal turf accumulated and stabilized mud where resident seniors of the lugworm Arenicola marina had reworked rippled sand. Algae and worms were incompatible. Initially, rising patches with algal turf alternated with bare pits where lugworms crowded. Their bioturbation inhibited young algae, while the felt of established algal rhizoids clogged feeding funnels of worm burrows. Eventually, the mosaic pattern of competitors gave way to a coherent algal turf without lugworms. Concomitantly, a rich small-sized benthic fauna took advantage of the novel algal turf. This exotic Vaucheria has the potential for taking over at the lower shore of the Wadden Sea (eastern North Sea, European Atlantic).

Therapeutic Potential of Hemoglobin Derived from the Marine Worm Arenicola marina (M101): A Literature Review of a Breakthrough Innovation

Oxygen (O2) is indispensable for aerobic respiration and cellular metabolism. In case of injury, reactive oxygen species are produced, causing oxidative stress, which triggers cell damaging chemical mediators leading to ischemic reperfusion injuries (IRI). Sufficient tissue oxygenation is necessary for optimal wound healing. In this context, several hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have been developed and tested, especially as graft preservatives for transplant procedures. However, most of the commercially available O2 carriers increase oxidative stress and show some adverse effects. Interestingly, the hemoglobin derived from the marine lugworm Arenicola marina (M101) has been presented as an efficient therapeutic O2 carrier with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, it has demonstrated promise as a supplement to conventional organ preservatives by reducing IRI. This review summarizes the properties and various applications of M101. M101 is an innovative oxygen carrier with several beneficial therapeutic properties, and further research must be carried out to determine its efficacy in the management of different pathologies.

Recovering wasted nutrients from shrimp farming through the combined culture of polychaetes and halophytes

The bioremediation and biomass production of organic extractive organisms (polychaetes Arenicola marina, Hediste diversicolor and halophyte Salicornia ramosissima) was assessed in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) framework. Culture trials were performed outdoors using the nutient rich effluent from a shrimp farm employing recirculated aquaculture systems. Similar bioremediation efficiencies were obtained in cultures using a single polyculture tank (1 T) or two trophic levels separated tanks (2 T; ≈ 0.3 and 0.6 m2 operational area, respectively), with a reduction of 74–87% for particulate organic matter (POM), 56–64% for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and 60–65% for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP). Hediste diversicolor adapted well to culture conditions, reaching densities up to 5.000 ind. m−2 (≈ 78–98 g m−2). Arenicola marina failed to cope with water temperature that exceeded the species thermal limits, displaying a survival < 10% (20 °C often pointed as the maximum thermal threshold for this species). Productivity of S. ramosissima with 1 T was about twice that obtained with 2 T (≈ 150–170 and ≈ 60–90 g FW m−2 edible aboveground biomass, respectively). The yellowish coloration of cultured plants was likely due to the chemical oxidation and rapid sand filtration pre-treatment applied to the brackish groundwater used in the aquaculture facility, that removed iron (and probably other essential elements). Overall, 1 T design combining H. diversicolor and S. ramosissima displayed the best bioremediation performance and biomass production, while also allowing reducing in half the operational area required to implement this IMTA framework.

Antimicrobial Peptide Arenicin-1 Derivative Ar-1-(C/A) as Complement System Modulator

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are not only cytotoxic towards host pathogens or cancer cells but also are able to act as immunomodulators. It was shown that some human and non-human AMPs can interact with complement proteins and thereby modulate complement activity. Thus, AMPs could be considered as the base for complement-targeted therapeutics development. Arenicins from the sea polychaete Arenicola marina, the classical example of peptides with a β-hairpin structure stabilized by a disulfide bond, were shown earlier to be among the most prospective regulators. Here, we investigate the link between arenicins’ structure and their antimicrobial, hemolytic and complement-modulating activities using the derivative Ar-1-(C/A) without a disulfide bond. Despite the absence of this bond, the peptide retains all important functional activities and also appears less hemolytic in comparison with the natural forms. These findings could help to investigate new complement drugs for regulation using arenicin derivatives.

UN ANÉLIDO MARINO COMO ALTERNATIVA DE TRATAMIENTO PARA COVID-19

El mundo se está enfrentando a una pandemia causada por la infección viral del coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 que desencadena la enfermedad COVID-19. Actualmente, no se conoce ningún tratamiento específico ni vacuna para contrarrestar los síntomas y afecciones causadas por el virus, pero se están administrando tratamientos antivirales, tratamientos antiinflamatorios, tratamiento inmunomodulador, tratamiento de soporte mecánico, hemático y otros en función del fracaso orgánico. Al enfrentarnos a un nuevo virus los tratamientos empleados han sido combinados, los cuales han generado efectos clínicos secundarios en el paciente. El presente documento se centrará en el tratamiento de soporte mecánico, hemático, donde el paciente se encuentra en estado de deficiencia de oxígeno. Durante esta fase de desarrollo de la enfermedad es donde la hemoglobina extracelular de Arenicola marina (Linnaeus, 1758) puede ser una alternativa tratamiento a través de un trasplante sanguínea al transportar 40 veces más oxígeno que la hemoglobina humana, siendo sus estudios promisorios al poseer un antioxidante natural no induciendo respuestas mutagénicas, inmunogénicas o alergénicas otorgando alta afinidad y cooperatividad en la unión con el oxígeno, alta estabilidad estructural y alta resistencia a la oxidación del grupo hemo a diferencia de la hemoglobina humana, conocimiento producto del desarrollo científico tecnológico de la hemoglobina extracelular de A. marina, denominada HM-101 que ha sido purificada y utilizada para la producción de HEMOXYCarrier (HC, Hemarina S.A., Francia), transportador de oxígeno para fines terapéuticos. Para la elaboración de este documento se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed y Google Scholar con las palabras coronavirus, COVID-19, o SARS-CoV-2, A. marina y tratamiento, treatment o therapy. Por ello, el presente trabajo informa sobre el conocimiento hemoglobina extracelular de A. marina como potencial aplicación de tratamiento alternativo para el COVID-19, siendo sus ensayos clínicos promisorios como posible sustituyente de la sangre humana y posible tratamiento contra el COVID-19, así como el potencial de desarrollo de investigación científica en diferentes áreas de estudio con anélidos poliquetos, iniciando desde la investigación básica en el Perú.

A therapeutic oxygen carrier isolated from Arenicola marina decreased P. gingivalis induced inflammation and tissue destruction

The control of inflammation and infection is crucial for periodontal wound healing and regeneration. M101, an oxygen carrier derived from Arenicola marina, was tested for its anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious potential based on its anti-oxidative and tissue oxygenation properties. In vitro, no cytotoxicity was observed in oral epithelial cells (EC) treated with M101. M101 (1 g/L) reduced significantly the gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, NF-κΒ and RANKL in P. gingivalis-LPS stimulated and P. gingivalis-infected EC. The proteome array revealed significant down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-8) and chemokine ligands (RANTES and IP-10), and upregulation of pro-healing mediators (PDGF-BB, TGF-β1, IL-10, IL-2, IL-4, IL-11 and IL-15) and, extracellular and immune modulators (TIMP-2, M-CSF and ICAM-1). M101 significantly increased the gene expression of Resolvin-E1 receptor. Furthermore, M101 treatment reduced P. gingivalis biofilm growth over glass surface, observed with live/dead analysis and by decreased P. gingivalis 16 s rRNA expression (51.7%) (p < 0.05). In mice, M101 reduced the clinical abscess size (50.2%) in P. gingivalis-induced calvarial lesion concomitant with a decreased inflammatory score evaluated through histomorphometric analysis, thus, improving soft tissue and bone healing response. Therefore, M101 may be a novel therapeutic agent that could be beneficial in the management of P. gingivalis associated diseases.