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Earthworm leukocytes that are not phagocytic and cross-react with several human epitopes can kill human tumor cell

A Cossarizza1, E L Cooper, M M Suzuki

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena, Italy.

Experimental Cell Research
|April 10, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Earthworm coelomocytes exhibit potent cytotoxic activity against human tumor cells. These primitive immune cells display characteristics suggesting an early evolution of natural killer (NK)-like functions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Earthworm coelomocytes, analogous to leukocytes, possess cytotoxic capabilities.
  • Understanding primitive immune mechanisms provides insights into the evolution of innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize earthworm coelomocytes and their cytotoxic activity.
  • To investigate the potential for early evolution of natural killer (NK)-like cell functions.

Main Methods:

  • Cytofluorimetric analysis using monoclonal antibodies to identify coelomocyte subsets.
  • Morphological evaluation of coelomocytes.
  • Chromium-51 (51Cr) release assay to measure cytotoxicity at different temperatures.

Main Results:

  • Two coelomocyte types identified: small (SC) and large (LC).
  • SC express specific surface markers (CD11a, CD45RA, CD45RO, CDw49b, CD54, beta 2-m, Thy-1) and are involved in target recognition.
  • LC are phagocytic and lack these markers. Both cell types exhibit significant cytotoxicity across a range of temperatures (4°C, 20°C, 37°C).

Conclusions:

  • Earthworm coelomocytes demonstrate significant cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines.
  • The identified coelomocyte subsets display distinct functions, with SC mediating recognition and LC performing phagocytosis.
  • These findings suggest the early evolutionary emergence of primitive NK-like immune functions.

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