title: A study on immunological effects of L-canavanine.
abstract: L-canavanine (LC) is an amino acid contained in alfalfa seeds that provokes a disease state similar to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in primates. In vitro experiments show that LC mainly acts on CD8(-)Leu8(+) T cells to regulate antibody synthesis and lymphocyte proliferation. The lymphocytes of SLE patients were poorly responsive to LC stimulation, suggesting that CD8(-)Leu8(+) T cells are specifically deficient in SLE. Although the precise mechanism of intracellular action of LC is not yet clear, we found that the intracellular calcium level [( Ca2+]i) increased in response to LC. This increase in [Ca2+]i may be partially responsible for the mechanism of action of LC on lymphocytes.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morimoto
mesh_terms: D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002172:Canavanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D002172:Canavanine; D002118:Calcium