Oral administration of banana lectin modulates cytokine profile and abundance of T-cell populations in mice.
Banana lectin (BanLec) is a dimeric protein occurring in fruit pulp that modulates immune cell functioning in vitro. In order to assess the immune response in vivo, BanLec from ripe banana (Musa acuminata) fruit was purified and orally given to mice for seven days. The analysis of cytokines in the mice peripheral blood revealed increased IL-10, IL-17 and TNFα, and a reduction of IFNγ and IL-6. In the thymus, an increase of CD4+ and a decrease of CD8+ T-cells were observed after oral administration of BanLec. The modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and T-cells in the peripheral blood and thymus of mice demonstrated the immunomodulatory properties of natural BanLec in vivo. This research brings new data on a protein from a fresh fruit consumed worldwide that may act as an immunomodulator, potentially affecting the host response to infections, immune diseases and cancer.
Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 14, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ana Claudia Miranda Brito
AC
Sansone
Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 14, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Marcelo
M
Sansone
Department of Exact Science-Statistical Analysis Laboratory, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Padua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Carlos Tadeu
CT
Dos Santos Dias
Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 14, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; University of São Paulo-NAPAN-Food and Nutrition Research Center, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 14, São Paulo, Brazil; Food Research Center (FoRC), CEPID-FAPESP (Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers, São Paulo Research Foundation), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 13A, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: jronasci@usp.br.
João Roberto
JR
Oliveira do Nascimento
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D037102:Lectins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D028521:Musa / Q000737:chemistry*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
D016207:Cytokines; D037102:Lectins
BanLec; Flow cytometry; Immunomodulation; In vivo; Oral intake