Immunological Maturation in the Tunicate<i>Ciona intestinalis</i>

Abstract

The least explored areas in the phylogenetic development of immunity are the primitive chordate subphyla. The limited studies on tunicate internal defense mechanisms are presented and discussed. Primary and secondary immune responses and immunological maturation to vertebrate erythrocytes in Ciona intestinalis suggest that its internal defense mechanisms may be closely allied to both the invertebrates and vertebrates.