Agglutinins and proteins in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, before and after injection of erythrocytes, carbohydrates, and other materials.

Agglutinin activity and total protein concentration in earthworm coelomic fluid were determined 24 hours after injecting different erythrocyte types and carbohydrates. Agglutinin titers increased from 14 to 1216 after a single injection of erythrocytes. At the same time, protein concentrations increased by variable amounts, suggesting an indirect correlation between increased agglutinin titer and protein concentration. To understand the nature of erythrocyte determinants responsible for inducing agglutinins and other proteins, separate groups of earthworms were injected with different carbohydrates. At 24 hours, coelomic fluid was assayed for agglutinin titer and protein concentration. The injection of different carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides and protein (BSA), like erythrocytes, also increased protein concentration and agglutinin titers. Changes in the protein concentration and composition of coelomic fluid were studied by standard and bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis. Different patterns and numbers of components were found before and after injection. At least two different components were present after injecting carbohydrates or erythrocytes, which may be related specifically to the agglutinins. Clearly, earthworms can synthesize and shed these molecules at rapid rates into the coelomic fluid. These molecules may be involved in earthworm defense.