title: The lectin ArtinM binds to mast cells inducing cell activation and mediator release.
abstract: Mast cells are inflammatory cells that respond to signals of innate and adaptive immunity with immediate and delayed release of mediators. ArtinM, a lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia with immunomodulatory activities, is able to induce mast cell activation, but the mechanisms remain unknown. This study sought to further investigate the effects of the lectin on mast cells. We showed that ArtinM binds to mast cells, possibly to the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) - FcεRI - and/or to IgE bound to FcεRI. Binding of the lectin resulted in protein tyrosine phosphorylation and release of the pre- and newly-formed mediators, β-hexosaminidase and LTB(4) by mast cells, activities that were potentiated in the presence of IgE. ArtinM also induced the activation of the transcription factors NFκB and NFAT, resulting in expression of some of their target genes such as IL-4 and TNF-α. In view of the established significance of mast cells in many immunological and inflammatory reactions, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in mast cell activation by ArtinM is crucial to the pharmacological application of the lectin.
authors: Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, FMRP/USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Valéria Cintra
authors: VC
authors: Barbosa-Lorenzi
authors: Patrícia Andressa de Almeida
authors: PA
authors: Buranello
authors: Maria Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Roque-Barreira
authors: Maria Célia
authors: MC
authors: Jamur
authors: Constance
authors: C
authors: Oliver
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Pereira-da-Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031622:Artocarpus / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000819:agonists; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000819:agonists; D010766:Phosphorylation; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D037121:Plant Lectins; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D014443:Tyrosine