The Role of Lysosomes in Molluscan Inflammation1

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Abstract
Phagocytosis and related phenomena represent integral features of inflammation in all metazoans. Reviewed herein are the results of studies directed at understanding the role(s) of lysosomal enzymes synthesized and released from circulating hemocytes, especially granulocytes, of gastropods and bivalves as a result of challenge with exogenous, nonself materials. From what is known, most of the mechanisms underlying this inflammation-associated process parallel those of mammalian macrophages; however, immunoglobulins and most probably components of complement are not involved. The required energy for phagocytosis in molluscs appears to be derived from glycolysis alone. Furthermore, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-halide antimicrobial system, both characteristic of mammalian phagocytes, appear to be absent in molluscs. It is concluded that by studying phagocytosis by molluscan hemocytes, a great deal can be learned about the evolution of inflammatory response and its constitutent elements.

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