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Morula Cells as the Major Immunomodulatory Hemocytes in Ascidians: Evidences From the Colonial Species Botryllus schlosseri

¹ Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35100 Padova, Italy
² Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41100 Modena, Italy

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ballarin{at}civ.bio.unipd.it

Immunocytochemical methods were used to study the presence and distribution of IL-1-- and TNF--like molecules in the hemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. Only a few unstimulated hemocytes were positive to both the antibodies used. When the hemocytes were stimulated with either mannan or phorbol 12-mono-myristate, the phagocytes were not significantly changed in their number, staining intensity, or cell morphology. In contrast, stimulated morula cells were intensely labeled, indicating that these cells play an important immunomodulatory role.

Abbreviations: FSW, filtered seawater • HA, hyaline amoebocytes • IL, interleukin • MLC, macrophage-like cells • PMM, phorbol 12-mono-myristate • TNF, tumor necrosis factor