Immunomodulating effects of Korean mistletoe lectin in vitro and in vivo.
The immunomodulatory effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (KML), one of the major active components in Viscum album L. var. coloratum, were investigated in vitro in immune cell proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell- and macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity, and in vivo in the forced swim test and cold stress. In mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation of murine splenocytes, concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide significantly increased the proliferation of T cell and B cell lymphocytes, respectively. KML exposure increased lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen. KML also increased the splenic NK cell and macrophage activities in vitro. Exposure to KML increased production of cytokines such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 by macrophages. Two-week treatment with KML (30, 100, 300 and 600 microg/kg) increased the recruitment of lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. In the forced swim test, the immobility time was significantly attenuated by treatment with KML (300 and 600 microg/kg). In a cold stress experiment, spleen and thymus weight increased in KML-treated mice, while the weight of adrenal gland was lower than that in vehicle-treated mice. The levels of serum aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were decreased by KML treatment. KML treatment also induced increases in the percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells in thymus. Our results suggest that KML enhances the immune system through modulation of lymphocytes, NK cells, and macrophages.
Lee
Chan-Ho
CH
College of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 300 Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Joon-Ki
JK
Kim
Hyo-Yeon
HY
Park
Sung-Min
SM
Lee
Sun-Mee
SM
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic / Q000187:drug effects; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D013550:Swimming; D028182:Viscum album
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D037121:Plant Lectins