Inflammatory reactions of the protochordata

Abstract

Ascidian inflammatory responses are characterized by an influx of blood cells into areas containing foreign material or injured tissue. The sequestering and removal of foreign substances is a function of their chemical nature and size. Small particulate materials are removed by phagocytosis; substances too large to be phagocytosed are encapsulated. Blood cells involved in inflammatory reactions are small undifFerentiated cells (hemoblasts, lymphocytes), hyaline and granular leucocytes and morula cells. © 1983 by the American Society of Zoologists.