Inflammatory responses in annelids

Abstract

The cellular inflammatory responses of annelids, which include chemotaxis, phagocytosis, encapsulation, and various phases of wound healing, are effected by coelomocytes, particularly the hyaline amoebocytes. Coelomic epithelial cells and specialized nephridial cells also participate in phagocytosis. A number of factors related to inflammation in vertebrates have been identified in annelids, i.e., histamine, kallikrein, lysosomal enzymes, agglutinins, lysins and antibacterial substances. However, their precise function in annelid inflammatory responses has yet to be determined. © 1983 by the American Society of Zoologists.