Premium
Amphibian metamorphosis: An immunologic opportunity!
Author(s) -
Ruben Laurens N.,
Clothier Richard H.,
Balls Michael,
Horton John D.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950100103
Subject(s) - metamorphosis , amphibian , biology , immune system , larva , immunology , function (biology) , zoology , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology
Anuran amphibian metamorphosis is an immunologically interesting period. For the investigator, it provides an unusual opportunity for analyzing both humoral regulation of the immune response and the development and maintenance of self‐tolerance. Some of the questions one can ask are: Why don't immunocompetent larvae destroy antigenically disparate adult cells as they differentiate within them during metamorphosis? Do the dramatic hormonal changes occurring during this period regulate immunological function? How do animals in metamophorsis protect themselves from their immunologically hostile environment?