Contribution of microscopy to the study of proliferating blood cells in Ciona intestinalis immune response

Following an inflammatory stimulus such as the injection of erythrocytes into the tunic of Ciona intestinalis, hemocytes respond to events occurring in the tunic within a short time, and infiltrate the inflamed tissue being massively involved in the acute inflammatory response and capsule formation. The proliferative response of circulating hemocytes and pharynx assume particular interest as it is significantly enhanced during these defence reactions. Microscopy clearly may contribute to extend our understanding of the phenomenon showing interesting mitotic figures and hematogenic nodules with proliferative characteristics.