The mollusc as a suitable model for mammalian immune-neuroendocrine investigations

Abstract

The same or relatively similar molecules seen in molluscan defense responses are also found in mammals, where their functions remain basically similar. The mollusc immunocytes are able to recognize a variety of stimuli and to set up correspondingly complex responses, in which primitive, but very efficient, forms of immune and neuroendocrine responses are intermixed. Thus, invertebrates could represent an ideal alternative in studying mammalian complexity from an immunoneuroendocrine point of view.