title: Cytotoxic activity of Ciona intestinalis (Tunicata) hemocytes: properties of the in vitro reaction against erythrocyte targets.
abstract: Hemocytes (effectors) of Ciona intestinalis showed a natural cytotoxic capacity (HCA) when assayed in vitro against erythrocytes (targets). Cytotoxic cells lysed, to a variable extent, rabbit (RE), human (A, B, O), guinea pig, and sheep (SE) erythrocytes. Hemocyte cytotoxic activity (HCA) assayed against SE is a calcium-dependent reaction, occurs rapidly (15-30 min), at 25-37 degrees C over a wide range of pH (5.4-8.0). Assays were carried out using: 1) the medium in which hemocytes were maintained, 2) the soluble portion of hemocyte lysates, and 3) debris prepared from hemocyte lysates. Results suggest that HCA is a cell-mediated process that requires effector-target cell contacts. Anti-SE (calcium-dependent) and anti-RE (calcium-independent) agglutinins were also found in the reaction medium, probably released by hemocytes as a consequence of the in vitro experiments. The occurrence of HCA was independent of any allogeneic reaction between mixed hemocytes. Various levels of cytotoxic activity reveal hemocyte specificity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parrinello
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arizza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cammarata
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Parrinello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology