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The Immune System of Xenopus

The Immune System of Xenopus Comparative studies of the immune system require that for each key systematic position at least one animal model is investigated in depth. For anuran amphibians, modern representatives of the first vertebrates that achieved the transition to terrestrial life, this model is the clawed-toad or South African frog (genus Xenopus). Since these frogs are easy to maintain and breed in captivity and are commercially available, and since they present developmental and genetic advantages compared to other amphi­ bians, they became the model of choice for many investigators. In 1988, after about 20 years of work, we are heading toward a comprehensive view of the Xenopus immune system, thanks to use of a cross-fire of methodologies, ranging from classical graft rejection to gene analysis. This review first presents a description of the structural elements of the Xenopus immune system: the lymphoid system, the major histo­ compatibility complex, and the immunoglobulins. Three functional issues will be then considered: immune responses,tolerance, and antibody diver­ sity during ontogeny. Finally, a section will be devoted to the impact of polyploidy on the Xenopus immune system. THE LYMPHOID ORGANS AND THE LYMPHOCYTES The Thymus (Table 1) The thymus arises through an invagination of the dorsal http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Immunology Annual Reviews

The Immune System of Xenopus

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References (55)

Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1989 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
0732-0582
eISSN
1545-3278
DOI
10.1146/annurev.iy.07.040189.001343
pmid
2653371
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Comparative studies of the immune system require that for each key systematic position at least one animal model is investigated in depth. For anuran amphibians, modern representatives of the first vertebrates that achieved the transition to terrestrial life, this model is the clawed-toad or South African frog (genus Xenopus). Since these frogs are easy to maintain and breed in captivity and are commercially available, and since they present developmental and genetic advantages compared to other amphi­ bians, they became the model of choice for many investigators. In 1988, after about 20 years of work, we are heading toward a comprehensive view of the Xenopus immune system, thanks to use of a cross-fire of methodologies, ranging from classical graft rejection to gene analysis. This review first presents a description of the structural elements of the Xenopus immune system: the lymphoid system, the major histo­ compatibility complex, and the immunoglobulins. Three functional issues will be then considered: immune responses,tolerance, and antibody diver­ sity during ontogeny. Finally, a section will be devoted to the impact of polyploidy on the Xenopus immune system. THE LYMPHOID ORGANS AND THE LYMPHOCYTES The Thymus (Table 1) The thymus arises through an invagination of the dorsal

Journal

Annual Review of Immunology – Annual Reviews

Published: Apr 1, 1989

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