The fate of protein antigen in annelids--in vivo and in vitro studies.

Administration of protein antigens into the coelomic cavity of earthworms Lumbricus terrestris (L. t) and Eisenia foetida (E. f) leads to a marked increase of the coelomic fluid protein concentration (up to 3 times of original level) and to the formation of a protein that binds the antigen used for stimulation, i. e., antigen-binding protein (ABP).