Mystic Aquarium

Although much progress has made, there is still much information to be gained on the marine mammal immune system. Many of the reagents that are available to study the immune system of terrestrial mammals cannot be used to investigate the marine mammal immune system. Our research team has focused on studying the bottlenose dolphin and beluga whale immune systems. Our laboratory has developed dolphin and whale-specific tools and reagents to characterize the cetacean immune system. Recently, we have cloned the gene for dolphin CD8 which is an important immune molecule present on cells that suppress the immune response.

The gene is currently being expressed in mammalian cells and the protein and/or CD8 expressing cells will be used to develop a monoclonal antibody or marker that will identify this subset of cells in the blood. Identifying and quantifying these cells in the blood in addition to other cell subsets such as T helper cells (which help the immune response) will help to assess immune status. Moreover, cloning genes enables the comparison of immune sequences between marine mammals and humans and/or other terrestrial mammals to gain insight into the evolution of these important proteins and the immune system. By studying the immune system of marine mammals we may also gain important information on the human immune system.

Our laboratory is also developing and/or adapting cellular immune function assays to assess immune status in marine mammals. These include tests for lymphocyte proliferation, Natural Killer cell function and phagocytosis and respiratory burst of monocytes and granulocytes. These tests are being used and adapted for not only cetaceans but all of our pinniped species and our penguins. These tests have particular application for assessing the impact of various stressors on the immune system.

Scientific evidence from a variety of disciplines supports the bi-directional communication of the brain and immune system. Stressors, including environmental and psychological stressors may influence the immune system and effect the ability to fight off infectious agents which may ultimately lead to disease. Baseline levels of stress hormones and immune function are being measured in our animals and other dolphins kept under human care. Measurements are also being taken after different challenges such as transport from one location to another, introduction to new environments, exposure to changes in water temperature, exposure to loud sound and after stranding.