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Epithelial cell renewal in mussel ( Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lmk) digestive gland and stomach was investigated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Mussels were exposed to 4 mg BrdU/l seawater continuously. Starting at 6 h after treatment, samples were collected every 2 h for 2 days and BrdU labelling was estimated by direct counting at the light microscope, with values being noted per thousand BrdU-positive cells. BrdU-positive reaction was observed in the nuclei of digestive, basophilic, duct and stomach cells, and in haemocytes. Cell renewal in digestive diverticula was synchronised following a circatidal pattern: BrdU labelling increased during low tide and decreased during high tide. Clearcut mitotic figures were identified in digestive cells, thereby confirming that mature cell types proliferate, in agreement with results from immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and BrdU. Epithelial cell renewal in the stomach also appeared to be synchronised.

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The high mortality rates of Lomentospora prolificans infections are due, above all, to the tendency of the fungus to infect weakened hosts, late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic treatments. To identify proteins of significance for diagnosis, therapy or prophylaxis, immunoproteomics-based studies are especially important. Consequently, in this study murine disseminated infections were carried out using L. prolificans, Scedosporium aurantiacum, Scedosporium boydii and Aspergillus fumigatus, and their sera used to identify the most immunoreactive proteins of L. prolificans total extract and secreted proteins. The results showed that L. prolificans was the most virulent species and its infections were characterized by a high fungal load in several organs, including the brain. The proteomics study showed a high cross-reactivity between Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, but not with A. fumigatus. Among the antigens identified were, proteasomal ubiquitin receptor, carboxypeptidase, Vps28, HAD-like hydrolase, GH16, cerato-platanin and a protein of unknown function that showed no or low homology with humans. Finally, Hsp70 deserves a special mention as it was the main antigen recognized by Scedosporium/Lomentospora species in both secretome and total extract. In conclusion, this study identifies antigens of L. prolificans that can be considered as potential candidates for use in diagnosis and as therapeutic targets and the production of vaccines.

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