Evolution, immune responses and stress: studies on molluscan cells.
Using a variety of techniques we found the presence of ACTH and opioid-like molecules in the phagocytic spreading hemocytes (SH) and the serum of the mollusc Planorbarius corneus. In vitro experiments have shown that ACTH and beta-endorphin exert chemotactic activity on SH, while ACTH, but not beta-endorphin increases the phagocytic activity of SH. Moreover, ACTH and CRF provoked the release of biogenic amines from the hemocytes, mimicking a proto-stress type of response. Thus, the same mobile cell is capable of immune and proto-stress responses by using as mediators neuropeptides which remained fundamentally similar throughout evolution.
Ottaviani
E
E
Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena, Italy.
Caselgrandi
E
E
Fontanili
P
P
Franceschi
C
C
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000276:immunology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008974:Mollusca / Q000276:immunology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D009479:Neuropeptides; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone