title: Immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential of a mucin-specific mycelial lectin from Aspergillus panamensis.
abstract: The present study reports the evaluation of immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential of a purified Aspergillus panamensis lectin. The immunomodulatory potential of the purified lectin was determined in swiss albino mice by studying its effect on anaphylaxis reaction, arthus reaction, respiratory burst activity, nitric oxide production and quantification of cytokine levels. The therapeutic potential of the lectin was evaluated in male wistar rat models by studying its curative effect on ulcerative colitis. The purified lectin inhibited systemic anaphylaxis and arthus reaction. It enhanced the functional ability of macrophages which was evident from increase in reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye and nitric oxide production. It also stimulated the production of Th-1 cytokine IFN-γ and Th-2 cytokine IL-6. Maximum immunomodulatory effect was seen at lectin concentration of 1.5mg/kg body weight. The lectin also showed curative effect against trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid induced ulcerative colitis. The results of this study adequately reflect the role of purified A. panamensis lectin in improving the immune status of mice models. They also show the effect of lectin in reducing the severity of incidence and decrease in clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002, Punjab, India. Electronic address: rssingh11@lycos.com.
authors.forename: Ram Sarup
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Hemant Preet
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Chembiotech Laboratories, Advanced Science & Technology Institute, 5 The Croft, Buntsford Drive, Stock Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcs B60 4JE, UK.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001183:Arthus Reaction / Q000276:immunology; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D025282:Mycelium / Q000737:chemistry*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D037102:Lectins; D009077:Mucins; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
keywords: Aspergillus panamensis; Cytokines; Immunomodulatory activity; Lectin; Therapeutic potential; Ulcerative colitis