The Pericardial Body of Ciona intestinalis Contains Hemocytes and Degenerating Muscle Cells, But No Parasites.

Thus, we conclude that H2-the pericardial body is a specialized niche of the immune system involved in defense against parasites-can be refuted. Rather, our observations support H1, the hypothesis that the pericardial body performs a role in the removal of dysfunctional myocardial cells.