Specificity and the role of lysosomal hydrolases in molluscan inflammation

Evidence supporting the occurrence of the following phases of cellular inflammatory response in molluscs are reviewed: chemotactic attraction, surface recognition, endocytosis and/or encapsulation, and intracellular degradation. In each of these phases of cellular reaction to foreign substances, molecular specificity is involved or its occurrence is suggested. Therefore, the concept is advanced that inflammatory responses which have been referred to as "nonspecific" do not exist. In addition, the evidence indicating the hypersynthesis and release of lysosomal hydrolases from molluscan phagocytes into serum subsequent to challenge are reviewed. The evidence indicates that this phenomenon is also specific at the molecular level. The elevated levels of lysosomal enzymes in serum also contribute to the inflammatory response.