Cell Locomotion in Archaeocyte-dominant Cell Population (ADCP) Primmorph Culture of Marine Sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis

The archaeocyte-dominant cell population (ADCP) primmorphs is a new sponge cell culture system, and is possible to develop into a continuous sponge cell line. However, the archaeocytes' division, differentiation and development, as well as the cell interactions, have not yet been clear. Cell movement (cell locomotion) is the base of other cell interactions. We use real-time video cinemicrography technique to document the cell locomotion continuously up to 90 days in the ADCP cultures of marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis. Locomotion of three typical cell types, archaeocytes for mesohyl cells, pinacocytes for surface cells, and spicule-associated cells, were monitored and analyzed during the culture process including the inoculation of dissociated cells and the formation stage of functional primmorphs. We observed the unique particle transfer process between archaeocytes, the fluctuation spreading over cells and the production of silica spicules and the active transfer of spicules by sponge cells. A tentative model of material transfer and the coordinated locomotion of sponge cells were proposed.