Structural basis for both pro- and anti-inflammatory response induced by mannose-specific legume lectin from Cymbosema roseum

► X-ray crystallography, together with biological assays, indicates that CRLI acts through the same carbohydrate specificity on different cell types. ► The recognition of N-glycans is determined by the CRLI quaternary structure as well as the specific position of amino acid residues which modify the carbohydrate binding site. ► Trimannoside core interactions with CRLI demonstrate an extended site stabilized by polar contacts and Van der Waals interactions. ► The main mechanisms of CRLI action is to compete with selectins or elicit the innate immunity response, both through saccharide recognition.