title: Crustacean hematopoiesis.
abstract: Crustacean hemocytes are important mediators of immune reactions, and the regulation of hemocyte homeostasis is of utmost importance for the health of these animals. This review discusses the current knowledge on the lineages, synthesis and differentiation of hemocytes in crustaceans. Hematopoietic tissues, their origins, and the regulation of hematopoiesis during molting, seasonal variation and infection are discussed. Furthermore, studies concerning the molecular regulation of hemocyte formation in crustaceans are also described, and the different lineages and their molecular markers are discussed and compared with several insect species. Signaling pathways and the regulation of hematopoiesis by transcription factors are typically conserved among these arthropods, whereas cytokines and growth factors are more variable and species specific. However, considering the great diversity among the crustaceans, one should be cautious in drawing general conclusions from studies of only a few species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Physiology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Irene.Soderhall@ebc.uu.se.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Söderhäll
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003445:Crustacea; D016207:Cytokines; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D018978:Molting
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Astakine; Crustaceans; Hematopoiesis; Hemocytes