The case of the “serfdom” condition of phagocytic immune cells

Authors

  • E Ottaviani Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
  • D Malagoli Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
  • A Grimaldi Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
  • M de Eguileor Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy

Keywords:

invertebrate immunocyte, vertebrate macrophage, immune and neuroendocrine responses, evolution

Abstract

In a modern immunological perspective, it may be asserted that the phagocytic cell should not be considered as the "serfdom", but rather the pivot of the immune system. Indeed, the invertebrate immunocyte as well as the vertebrate macrophage play a central role in immunity, inflammation and stress response. The evolutionary conserved immune-neuroendocrine effector system have remained of fundamental importance in defense against pathogens, and its efficiency increased through synergy with the new, clonotipical recognition repertoire in vertebrates.

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Published

2012-07-24

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2012)

Section

Review