title: Phagocytosis of synthetic particles in earthworms: absence of oxidative burst and possible role of lytic enzymes.
abstract: The mechanisms of phagocytized materials (synthetic HEMA particles, micrococci) by earthworm coelomocytes were examined. Despite the fact that coelomocytes have a high phagocytic activity, the chemiluminescent assay did not reveal increased production of oxygen radicals. Ultrastructural changes of engulfed particles observed by electron microscopy may be caused by intracellular lytic enzymes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bilej
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Baetselier
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Trebichavský
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vĕtvicka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008689:Methacrylates; D008837:Micrococcus / Q000276:immunology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000276:immunology*; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D010100:Oxygen