In vitro effects of bovine lactoferrin, mushroom glucan and Abrus agglutinin on Indian major carp, catla (Catla catla) head kidney leukocytes

The in vitro effects of bovine lactoferrin, glucan from the mushroom Pleurotus florida and agglutinin (lectin) from the Abrus precatorius seed kernels were examined on the non-specific immune response of Indian major carp, catla (Catla catla) head-kidney leukocytes. Catla head-kidney leukocytes were cultured in complete RPMI-1640 medium containing 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg ml− 1 of the above three substances and were analyzed for nitric oxide production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity and proliferative response. Significant alterations were observed in respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity and proliferative response by all these substances, but nitric oxide production was not found to be significant. The results suggest that bovine lactoferrin, mushroom glucan and the Abrus agglutinin stimulate the catla non-specific immune response in vitro.