Comparative and morphofunctional studies on Mytilus galloprovincialis hemocytes: presence of two aging-related hemocyte stages

Morphological and functional studies were performed on hemocytes from young and adult Mytilus galloprovincialis. The results obtained suggest that onl y one cell type in two different stages, young or old, is present, consiste ntly with the Mix's one-cell-type model. However, both young and old hemocy tes appear capable of carrying out similar functions and express common sig nal molecules; thus, their differences in cytology and number appear to be due to cellular aging.