IMMUNITY IN THE INVERTEBRATES THE ROLE OF SERUM FACTORS IN PHAGOCYTOSIS OF ERYTHROCYTES BY HAEMOCYTES OF THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH (<i>PARACHAERAPS BICARINATUS</i>)

Abstract

Summary An in vitro cell culture system is described which allows a quantitative study of the phagocytosis of erythrocytes by haemocytes from the freshwater crayfish ( Parachaeraps bicarinatus ). The studies showed that specific senmi opsonins were essential for efficient phagocytosis. These results are discussed in relationship to similar findings in other invertebrates and to the evolution of vertebrate antibodies.