title: In vivo protective effect of the lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis on BALB/c mice infected by Leishmania amazonensis.
abstract: In vivo administration of Canavalia brasiliensis lectin (at the time of infection, or maintained throughout the infection) reduced the lesions of highly susceptible BALB/c mice infected by Leishmania amazonensis. At the doses used C. brasiliensis lectin (ConBr) does not interfere with penetration or fate of Leishmania in the macrophages in vitro. Since Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is the major macrophage activating factor, and considered a critical element in the successful immune response against leishmaniasis, we explored its participation in this phenomenon. ConBr either in vivo or in vitro induced IFN-gamma production in normal or in leishmania-infected BALB/c mice. However we were unable to change the course of disease by in vivo IFN-gamma administration (although IFN-gamma preparations were effective in inducing a leishmanicidal effect in vitro on L. amazonensis-infected peritoneal macrophages). Additionally, IFN-gamma neutralization with anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody did not alter the protection conferred by ConBr administration. These data show that lectin administration in vivo is protective in the otherwise unchecked L. amazonensis infection of BALB/c mice, and suggest that such effect is not mediated by IFN-gamma.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Imunologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil. barral@ufba.br
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barral-Netto
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Von Sohsten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pompeu
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Cavada
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falcoff
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barral
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D037102:Lectins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007894:Leishmania mexicana; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D007371:Interferon-gamma