A New Model for Analyzing Antimicrobial Peptides With Biomedical Applications (Nato: Life and Behavioural Sciences, 343)

This volume first presents evidence for the earthworm's immune system; the results strongly suggest that certain molecules of the earthworm's immune system may be exploited as natural antibiotics - thus the biomedical applications. Earthworms have a highly effective immune system since cancer cannot be induced in them, nor does it seem to occur in natural populations. Cytoxicity of cancer cells has been examined in relation to two earthworm leukocytes based upon: structure; cell differentiation antigens; and function revealed by FACS and mAbs.