Molecular characterization of AwSox2 from bivalve Anodonta woodiana: Elucidating its player in the immune response

Comprehensive analysis of Sox genes in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas): Insights into expression and potential functions

The Sox gene family characterized by the conserved HMG-box domain, plays crucial roles in various biological processes, including development and differentiation. In this study, we identified seven Sox genes in the genome of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), and classified them into seven subgroups: SoxB1, SoxB2, SoxC, SoxD, SoxE, SoxF, and SoxH. All Sox proteins contained the conserved HMG domain, crucial for DNA binding and transcriptional regulation. Spatial expression analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns: CgSoxH was highly specific to gonads, CgSoxF to the digestive gland, and CgSoxB2 subgroup to the labial palps, indicating distinct biological roles. Developmental profiling showed CgSoxB1 and CgSoxC with maternal expression, while CgSoxD and CgSoxE were active from gastrulation onwards. In gonadal development, CgSoxB1 was prominent in female gonads, while CgSoxH was associated with male gonadal maturation, suggesting the potential roles in sex differentiation. These findings provide novel insights into the functional roles of Sox genes in the reproductive and developmental processes of C. gigas.

In vitro detection of marine invertebrate stem cells: utilizing molecular and cellular biology techniques and exploring markers

Marine invertebrate stem cells (MISCs) represent a distinct category of pluripotent and totipotent cells with remarkable abilities for self-renewal and differentiation into multiple germ layers, akin to their vertebrate counterparts. These unique cells persist throughout an organism's adult life and have been observed in various adult marine invertebrate phyla. MISCs play crucial roles in numerous biological processes, including developmental biology phenomena specific to marine invertebrates, such as senescence, delayed senescence, whole-body regeneration, and asexual reproduction. Furthermore, they serve as valuable models for studying stem cell biology. Despite their significance, information about MISCs remains scarce and scattered in the scientific literature. In this review, we have carefully collected and summarized valuable information about MISC detection by perusing the articles that study and detect MISCs in various marine invertebrate organisms. The review begins by defining MISCs and highlighting their unique features compared to vertebrates. It then discusses the common markers for MISC detection and in vitro techniques employed in invertebrate and vertebrates investigation. This comprehensive review provides researchers and scientists with a cohesive and succinct overview of MISC characteristics, detection methods, and associated biological phenomena in marine invertebrate organisms. We aim to offer a valuable resource to researchers and scientists interested in marine invertebrate stem cells, fostering a better understanding of their broader implications in biology. With ongoing advancements in scientific techniques and the continued exploration of marine invertebrate species, we anticipate that further discoveries will expand our knowledge of MISCs and their broader implications in biology.

Non-traditional roles of immune cells in regeneration: an evolutionary perspective

Immune cells are known to engage in pathogen defense. However, emerging research has revealed additional roles for immune cells, which are independent of their function in the immune response. Here, we underscore the ability of cells outside of the adaptive immune system to respond to recurring infections through the lens of evolution and cellular memory. With this in mind, we then discuss the bidirectional crosstalk between the immune cells and stem cells and present examples where these interactions regulate tissue repair and regeneration. We conclude by suggesting that comprehensive analyses of the immune system may enable biomedical applications in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Stem Cells and Innate Immunity in Aquatic Invertebrates: Bridging Two Seemingly Disparate Disciplines for New Discoveries in Biology

The scopes related to the interplay between stem cells and the immune system are broad and range from the basic understanding of organism's physiology and ecology to translational studies, further contributing to (eco)toxicology, biotechnology, and medicine as well as regulatory and ethical aspects. Stem cells originate immune cells through hematopoiesis, and the interplay between the two cell types is required in processes like regeneration. In addition, stem and immune cell anomalies directly affect the organism's functions, its ability to cope with environmental changes and, indirectly, its role in ecosystem services. However, stem cells and immune cells continue to be considered parts of two branches of biological research with few interconnections between them. This review aims to bridge these two seemingly disparate disciplines towards much more integrative and transformative approaches with examples deriving mainly from aquatic invertebrates. We discuss the current understanding of cross-disciplinary collaborative and emerging issues, raising novel hypotheses and comments. We also discuss the problems and perspectives of the two disciplines and how to integrate their conceptual frameworks to address basic equations in biology in a new, innovative way.