Ecteinascidia turbinataExtract Activates Components of Inflammatory Responses Throughout the Phylogenetic Spectrum

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Abstract
The tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata contains a substance or substances capable of exerting a number of biological effects. Extracts of tunicate tissues have been shown to kill tumor cells in vitro and arrest tumor growth in vivo. The extracts also suppress allograft rejection, graft-US.-host reactions and lymphocyte proliferative responses as well as humoral responses to immunization. By modifying the conditions, the extracts could potentiate antibody responses. In addition, they augment functions of monocyte-macrophages as evidenced by in vitro phagocytosis, in vivo clearance, and cytotoxic activity against target cells. After studies in mice, we were able to demonstrate that the extracts could activate the phagocytic systems of shrimp, blue crab, and fish (the American eel). In fish, the intraperitoneal route was superior to the intravenous route for promotion of phagocytosis, increase in percent presentation of granulocytes and for enhancement of resistance to bacterial infection. Intrarriuscular and intraperitoneal injection led to local inflammation with accumulation of granulocytes and macrophages.

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