The Sea Star Igkappa Gene and its Applications in Cancerology

Abstract

It was shown 32 years ago that the sea star axial organ cells (AO cells) produced a spontaneous cytotoxicity against
mouse cancerous cells. The axial organ is considered as ancestral lymphoïd organ. It contains T-like and B-like sea star
lymphocytes and Phagocytes. It plays a fundamental rôle in the sea star cell-mediated immune responses and humoral
immune ones. Recently, we discovered a sea star Igkappa gene with immune properties. This gene was inserted in a CMV
(cytomegalovirus) and finally in a plasmid called « young » plasmid. The induced « young » protein exerted a spontaneous
cytotoxicity against osteosarcom cells (U2oS cells) and recently against Hela cells (cervix carcinoma cells).