Phagocytosis plays a central role in the cell-mediated immune response and the study of cytokine-like molecules capable of modulating the phagocytic activity of immunocytes may contribute insightful information on the evolution of the immune response. Previous experiments on the immunocytes of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis suggested that regulation of the phagocytic activity involves cAMP- and PKA-pathways. We have now analyzed the response of these immunocytes to the effects of a protein pheromone, denoted Er-1, produced by the protozoan ciliate Euplotes raikovi and characterized by an exclusively helical structure like IL-2 and its cytokine family members. Our results indicate that Er-1 increases the immunocyte phagocytic activity, and this increase follows cAMP- and PKA-dependent signal transduction pathways. This indication is consistent with the activity of ciliate pheromones in mechanisms of self-nonself recognition and cell-cell adhesion.
Effects of the protein pheromone Er-1 isolated from the ciliate Euplotes raikovi, on the phagocytic activity of the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis. REPORT of the Xth scientific meeting of the Italian Association of Developmental and Comparative Immunobiology (IADCI), Urbino.
VALLESI, Adriana;
2009-01-01
Abstract
Phagocytosis plays a central role in the cell-mediated immune response and the study of cytokine-like molecules capable of modulating the phagocytic activity of immunocytes may contribute insightful information on the evolution of the immune response. Previous experiments on the immunocytes of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis suggested that regulation of the phagocytic activity involves cAMP- and PKA-pathways. We have now analyzed the response of these immunocytes to the effects of a protein pheromone, denoted Er-1, produced by the protozoan ciliate Euplotes raikovi and characterized by an exclusively helical structure like IL-2 and its cytokine family members. Our results indicate that Er-1 increases the immunocyte phagocytic activity, and this increase follows cAMP- and PKA-dependent signal transduction pathways. This indication is consistent with the activity of ciliate pheromones in mechanisms of self-nonself recognition and cell-cell adhesion.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
