Inflamed adult pharynx tissues and swimming larva of Ciona intestinalis share CiTNFa-producing cells

• Published in: Cell and tissue research Vol. 341; no. 2; pp. 299 - 311
• Main Authors: Parrinello, Nicolo, Vizzini, Aiti, Salerno, Giuseppina, Sanfratello, Maria Antonietta, Cammarata, Matteo, Arizza, Vincenzo, Vazzana, Mirella, Parrinello, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2010
• Subjects: Ciona intestinalis; Marine
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/s00441-010-0993-5

In situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry analyses have shown that the Ciona intestinalis tumour necrosis factor alpha gene (CiTNFa), which has been previously cloned and sequenced, is expressed either during the inflammatory pharynx response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or during the swimming larval phase of development. Granulocytes with large granules and compartment/morula cells are CiTNFa-producing cells in both inflamed pharynx and larvae. Pharynx vessel endothelium also takes part in the inflammatory response. Haemocyte nodules in the vessel lumen or associated with the endothelium suggest the involvement of CiTNFa in recruiting lymphocyte-like cells and promoting the differentiation of inflammatory haemocytes. Specific antibodies against a CiTNFa peptide have identified a 43-kDa cell-bound form of the protein. Observations of pharynx histological sections (at 4 and 8h post-LPS inoculation) from naive and medium-inoculated ascidians have confirmed the CiTNFa-positive tissue response. Larval histological sections and whole-mount preparations have revealed that CiTNFa is expressed by trunk mesenchyme, preoral lobe and tunic cells, indicating CiTNFa-expressing cell immigration events and an ontogenetic role.