title: Immunological response in mice bearing LM3 breast tumor undergoing pulchellin treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIP) have been studied in the search for toxins that could be used as immunotoxins for cancer treatment. Pulchellin, a type 2 RIP, is suggested to induce immune responses that have a role in controlling cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The percentage of dendritic cells and CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the spleen (flow cytometry), cytokines' release by PECs and splenocytes (ELISA) and nitric oxide production by PECs (Griess assay) were determined from tumor-bearing mice injected intratumorally with 0.1 ml of pulchellin at 0.75 μg/kg of body weight. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pulchellin-treated mice showed significant immune system activation, characterized by increased release of IFN-γ and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), while IL-6 and TGF-β levels were decreased. There was also an increase in macrophage's activation, as denoted by the higher percentage of macrophages expressing adhesion and costimulatory molecules (CD54 and CD80, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that pulchellin is promising as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment.
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Djamile Cordeiro
authors: DC
authors: de Matos
authors: Lívia Carolina Abreu
authors: LC
authors: de Ribeiro
authors: Aline
authors: A
authors: Tansini
authors: Lucas Souza
authors: LS
authors: Ferreira
authors: Marisa Campos Polesi
authors: MC
authors: Placeres
authors: Lucas Luis
authors: LL
authors: Colombo
authors: Iracilda Zeppone
authors: IZ
authors: Carlos
mesh_terms: D029912:Abrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010940:Plant Proteins; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2