Glial localization of interleukin-1α in invertebrate ganglia

Abstract

1. Mytilus pedal ganglion contains a small population of glial cells that are immunopositive for interleukin-1α. Positively stained fibers can also be seen in the neuropil of these sections. 2. The marine wormNereis diversicolor also exhibits positive neural immunostaining for interleukin-1α. 3. Both organisms contain hemocytes that contain immunoactivity for interleukin-1α. The study suggests interleukin-1α to be an ancient cytokine given its presence in organisms that evolved significantly earlier than mammals.