Neutrophil migration induced in vivo and in vitro by marine algal lectins.
OBJECTIVE
Since some plant and mammalian lectins specific for monosaccharides are able to induce neutrophil migration, we studied the neutrophil migration-inducing activities of marine algal lectins, specific for complex oligosaccharides from glycoproteins, from Amansia multifida (AM), Bryothamnion seaforthii (BS), Bryothamnion triquetrum (BT) and Gracilaria caudata (GC).


METHODS
The neutrophil migration-inducing activity of AM, BS, BT and GC was assayed in vitro and in vivo in the peritoneal cavity or dorsal air pouch of rats or mice, and was inhibited by glycans.


RESULTS
AM, BS, BT and GC induced neutrophil migration in vivo and in vitro, determining bell-shaped dose-dependent curves. Maximal neutrophil influx was determined by BT in rats and by AM in mice. Maximal human neutrophil chemotaxis was obtained with GC. These activities were not inhibited by glycoproteins previously identified as being recognized by these lectins. D-mannose was a strong inhibitor, especially of BT activity both in vitro and in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
Algal lectins induced neutrophil migration, which was inhibited by a monosaccharide, contrasting with the view that they only recognize complex oligosaccharides. Neutrophil chemotaxis assays are appropriate to study low molecular mass lectins containing a single carbohydrate recognition domain, as is the case of some lectins from algae and mammals.
Neves
S A
SA
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza Ceará, Brazil.
Dias-Baruff
M
M
Freitas
A L
AL
Roque-Barreira
M C
MC
D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D037102:Lectins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects*; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000737:chemistry*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D009005:Monosaccharides