title: Mesenchyme cells in Fasciola hepatica (platyhelminthes): primitive glia?
abstract: Mesenchyme cells and their processes are found in the cerebral ganglia of the parasitic flatworm, Fasciola hepatica. The mesenchyme cell processes are found in two specialized associations within the ganglion: (i) as lamellae-like multilayer sheaths encircling the cerebral ganglia and separating it from the surrounding parenchyma cells, and (ii) invaginated into the surface of large diameter ('giant') nerve processes to form trophospongium-like relationships. Based on morphological criteria, these mesenchyme cells resemble general invertebrate glial cells suggesting that the mesenchyme cells of these flatworms may represent the earliest glial-like cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Cook College, New Brunswick 08903-0231.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sukhdeo
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sukhdeo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000166:cytology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar