Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
05:29
Obtaining Hemocytes from the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Euprymna scolopes and Observing their Adherence to Symbiotic and Non-Symbiotic Bacteria
Published on: February 11, 2010
Sea squirts and immune tolerance.
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. detomaso@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Disease Models & Mechanisms
|September 4, 2009
Summary
Botryllus schlosseri, a tunicate, exhibits a natural transplantation reaction controlled by a single locus, fuhc. This provides a model to study conserved immune recognition mechanisms fundamental to all animal life.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Transplantation specificity and protective immunity are crucial in vertebrate adaptive and innate immune systems.
- Understanding immune self-tolerance is vital for preventing transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.
- Allorecognition, the discrimination between polymorphic ligands, is conserved across metazoa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying allorecognition in Botryllus schlosseri.
- To explore the potential of B. schlosseri as a model for studying immune function and evolution.
- To test the hypothesis that allorecognition in Botryllus relies on conserved processes of immune education and tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Botryllus schlosseri, a tunicate model organism with a natural transplantation reaction.
- Analyzing the fuhc locus, a single, highly polymorphic locus controlling allorecognition in B. schlosseri.
- Comparing allorecognition mechanisms in B. schlosseri to vertebrate major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-based systems.
Main Results:
- Botryllus schlosseri displays a natural transplantation reaction governed by the fuhc locus.
- The fuhc locus in B. schlosseri shows high polymorphism, similar to vertebrate MHC.
- B. schlosseri serves as a valuable model for dissecting allorecognition mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Allorecognition in Botryllus is controlled by a single polymorphic locus, fuhc.
- B. schlosseri offers a unique model to study conserved immune recognition strategies and the evolution of genetic polymorphism.
- The study supports the hypothesis that allorecognition involves fundamental conserved processes like immune education and tolerance.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:23Immunological Memory
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...