Coral reefs and humans share similar immune system, a scientific study has revealed.
Majority of the coral reefs are dying. Due to the threat of climate change, mass coral bleaching occurs like what was seen in the Great Barrier Reef, where as much as 93 percent of corals were severely affected. The reefs are not without defense - their immune system protects them from harmful microbes, acidification, and algal takeover.
Marine scientists discovered that since more than 550 million years ago, coral reefs possess one specific molecule with an immunologic function. With this, researchers will contribute to the National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas project by indexing the molecular characteristics of the coral reef ecosystem. The project aims to gain understanding how healthy ocean ecosystems function.
Study lead author Rob Quinn of the San Diego State University (SDSU) said it is important to learn what a normal ocean is before it is too late. By identifying a healthy reef, it would be easy to detect those that are becoming unhealthy.
To do this, Quinn collaborated with SDSU Biology professor Forest Rohwer and Mark Vermeij of the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation. The team analyzed samples of coral tissues from the Southern Line Islands coral reefs, which are about 2000 kilometers (1242.74 miles) south of Hawaii. These reefs are among the most pristine reef ecosystems left today.
Using mass spectroscopy, molecular makeup showed the platelet activating factor (PAF). In humans, PAF triggers inflammation that activates protective immune cells to ward off illnesses.
"It was basically the most abundant molecule we detected in coral," said Quinn.
To see whether PAF in corals functions as those found in humans, the team used genetic sequencing technology. They found more PAFs are produced when corals undergo damage as a result of algal takeover, which suggests that PAF is activated as a stress response.
The marine scientists are hoping to compare the levels of PAF between healthy and unhealthy coral reefs in their further studies.
The study was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B on April 26.
