title: Cytotoxicity and cell death: studies on molluscan cells and evolutionary considerations.
abstract: In a previous study we demonstrated the presence of NK-like activity in the mollusc Planorbarius corneus. This activity can be ascribed to round hemocytes that have a morphology similar to that of vertebrate lymphocytes. We show here that this NK-like cytotoxicity is evident in serum-free culture medium. Moreover, the type of death induced by molluscan effector cells on their targets is probably similar to that induced by vertebrate effector cells, i.e. apoptosis or programmed cell death, as assessed by the protective effect exerted by 3-aminobenzamide when both types of effector cells were used.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Pathology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvioli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossarizza
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franceschi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008974:Mollusca / Q000276:immunology*