AMPHIBIAN HAEMATOLOGY - METAMORPHOSIS-RELATED CHANGES IN BLOOD CELLS

摘要

Amphibian metamorphosis is a rapid process to meet the demands of a new life-form. As a part of metamorphosis, blood cell populations are renewed. In erythrocytes, this involves a shift to a new 'terrestrial' type of hemoglobin with lower oxygen affinity. The leukocytes must maintain protection against infection and at the same time allow for the appearance of new tissue components. Antibody-producing cells of larval origin are substituted by postmetamorphic cells providing a specific, polyclonal antibody repertoire. As postmetamorphic tissue antigens appear, immune functions chat might otherwise lead to autoimmune reactivity, are suppressed.