Modulation of immunocyte functions by a mucin-specific lectin from Aspergillus gorakhpurensis

Lectins are non-immune proteins or glycoproteins with the ability to induce cell agglutination and mediate cellular and molecular recognition processes in a variety of biological interactions. Recently, several mushroom lectins have been reported to show immunomodulatory activities. The immunomodulatory potential of purified A. gorakhpurensis lectin was determined by evaluating its effect on systemic anaphylaxis reaction, arthus reaction, respiratory burst activity, nitric oxide production and levels of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6. Administration of different doses of purified lectin was found to stimulate immunological activity. Lectin prevented BSA induced Arthus reaction and systemic anaphylaxis. The enhanced functional ability of macrophages was evident from respiratory burst activity and nitric oxide production in splenocyte cultures. Interferon-γ and interleukin-6 levels were significantly up-regulated in lectin treated groups. Maximum modulatory effect was observed at the lectin dose of 3.0 mg/kg body weight. The results of the experiments conducted adequately reflect the immunostimulatory effect of purified A. gorakhpurensis lectin.