Invertebrate Survival Journal (Sep 2005)
Wound repair in the marine worm Sipunculus nudus (Sipunculidae)
Abstract
The cells and molecules involved in the wound healing of Sipunculus nudus were studied. An incision,5 mm in length, was cut longitudinally at a site opposite the anus and 10 mm from the introvert. Thehistological study performed at different times showed an involvement of both Type I and Type IIgranulocytes in the process of healing. The former were capable of extracellular digestion and theywere immunoreactive to anti-IL-4, -IL-10 and -epidermal growth factor (EGF) antibodies (Abs); thelatter were involved in the synthesis of connective tissue from 24 h after the incision, thereby causingthe initial closing of the wound. After 70 h, a continuous layer of Type II granulocytes was found on thesides of the wound where the future muscle tissue would be formed; many of these granulocytes hadbeen partially degranulated. It was not possible to establish any existing relationship between thefunctions of Type I granulocytes and their reactivity to anti-IL-4, -IL-10 and -EGF Abs.
