![]() ![]() Macrophage-like cells have been described in Porifera, Ctenophora, and Cnidaria and are widespread among Bilateria, but our study is the first to show that Placozoa possesses this cell type. Based on these observations we conclude that fiber cells are multi-purpose macrophage-like cells. Fiber cells also are involved in wound healing as evidenced from microsurgery experiments. In situ hybridization confirmed that fiber cells express genes involved in phagocytic activity. Examination of fiber cells in thin sections and observations of live dissociated fiber cells demonstrated that they phagocytose cell debris and bacteria. Three-dimensional reconstructions of serial sections of Trichoplax showed that each fiber cell is in contact with several other cells. We used electron and light microscopic approaches to unravel the roles of fiber cells in Trichoplax adhaerens, a representative member of the phylum. Fiber cells are non-epithelial cells with multiple processes. They have only six morphological cell types, including one, fiber cells, for which functional data is lacking. These small, flat organisms adhere to the substrate via their densely ciliated ventral epithelium, which mediates mucociliary locomotion and nutrient uptake. ![]() Placozoa is a phylum of non-bilaterian marine animals. ![]()
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