Influence of polysaccharides from Viscum album L. on human lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes in vitro.
BACKGROUND
An acidic arabinogalactan from European mistletoe (Viscum album L, VAL; 1.34 x 10(6) Dalton) was studied in detail because its immunological properties are poorly characterised.


METHODS
Flow cytometric studies focussed on PS-activated proliferation of human lymphocytes measured via incorporation of bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU), granulocyte phagocytosis via ingestion of FITC-labelled E.coli, and respiratory burst via oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 to rhodamine 123. Cytokines were detected in the cell culture supernatants by ELISA.


RESULTS
PS, in contrast to mistletoe lectins (ML), significantly stimulated proliferation of CD4+ T-cells but not CD8+ and CD19+ cells. However, ML influenced PS-mediated stimulation, with a synergistic effect in one and an inhibitory effect in another individual. Furthermore, IFN-gamma release was significantly enhanced by PS, favouring a T-helper cell type-1 cytokine pattern, further IL-6 was significantly stimulated, while granulocyte activity was not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
VAL-PS exert yet unknown stimulatory activities, especially on specific CD4+ T-cells which may be influenced by other extract components like the ML. These components may contribute to the anti-tumour effect of VAL.
Stein
G M
GM
Krebsforschung Herdecke, Department of Applied Immunology, University Witten/Herdecke, Communal Hospital, Germany. stein.g@primus-online.de
Edlund
U
U
Pfüller
U
U
Büssing
A
A
Schietzel
M
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005685:Galactans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014784:Mistletoe / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D005685:Galactans; D015850:Interleukin-6; D037102:Lectins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D037121:Plant Lectins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D014118:Toxins, Biological; C009674:ribosome inactivating protein, Viscum; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; C005653:arabinogalactan