title: Thymocyte proliferation and maturation in response to galactoside-specific mistletoe lectin-1.
abstract: Commercially available mistletoe extract standardized for the galactoside-specific mistletoe lectin-1 (ML-1) could be shown to induce thymocyte proliferation and maturation in BALB/c-mice after regular subcutaneous administration of the optimal immunomodulating dosage (1ng lectin/kg body weight). The increase in thymocyte numbers per mg organ weight was statistically significant. Determinations of thymic lymphatic subsets revealed considerable up-regulation of mature cells expressing helper/inducer (L3T4) or cytotoxic/suppressor (Lyt-2) phenotype and immature cells presenting both (L3T4/Lyt-2) antigens. Thus, administration of ML-1 accelerated murine thymocyte proliferation and maturation. Counts of BALB/c-mouse peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) revealed evident (but statistically non-significant) increases after ML-1 administration. The determination of activated PBL expressing interleukin (Il)-2 receptors proved, however, that ML-1 induced a potent immunostimulation since these cells were significantly enhanced after ML-1 administration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, FRG.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beuth
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tunggal
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Steuer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geisel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeljaszewicz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pulverer
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014784:Mistletoe; D037121:Plant Lectins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects*; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D014118:Toxins, Biological; C009674:ribosome inactivating protein, Viscum