Ligula intestinalis (L.) (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): polarization of cyprinid leucocytes as an indicator of host- and parasite-derived chemoattractants.

Freshly isolated pronephric leucocytes from roach, Rutilus rutilus and gudgeon, Gobio gobio were exposed to extracts of plerocercoids of Ligula intestinalis from these two cyprinid fish. Addition of the extracts or an increase in incubation temperature from 10 to 20 degrees C induced polarization of neutrophils and L1 granulocytes. Cells were transformed from their typical spherical shape to elongate forms possessing a ruffled leading edge. Extracts obtained from gudgeon-Ligula stimulated polarization of both roach and gudgeon leucocytes at 10 and 20 degrees C. In contrast, extracts from roach-Ligula, whilst having little effect at 10 degrees C, suppressed temperature-induced polarization of leucocytes at 20 degrees C. Addition of serum to all the essays enhanced polarization and abolished the roach-Ligula-induced suppression. It is suggested that leucocyte chemoattractants are present in Ligula from roach and gudgeon and only parasites from the former host contain an inhibitor of polarization. In addition, host-derived factors possibly complement, may be involved in leucocyte chemoattraction.