Lectins and cytokines in celomatic invertebrates: two tales with the same end

Abstract

The paper presents the principle data regarding the presence and the roles of lectins and cytokines in invertebrates. The former have been described in the main invertebrate taxa, such molluscs, annelids, arthropods, echinoderms and tunicates, while convincing evidence for cytokines was found only in the insects, Drosophila melanogaster and Pseudaletia separata, and the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. Lectins and cytokines share convergent and common functions, and one of the multiples roles of these messenger molecules is their participation in fighting against non-self.

Keywords

• invertebrate immunity
• lectins
• cytokines
• evolution