A LECTIN FROM HELIANTHUS ANNUUS RECOGNIZES GP120 FROM HIV-1 AND PROMOTES AN INFLAMMATORY PHENOTYPE IN DENDRITIC CELLS.

CHOP, MAIA; RADICIONI, MELISA; DEL RÍO, MARIANELA; SABATTÉ, JUAN; REGENTE, MARIANA; RODRÍGUEZ RODRIGUES, CHRISTIAN

Mar del PLata

Congreso; Reunión Anual de Sociedades de Biociencias 2023; 2023

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica

Background: Helja is a mannose-binding lectin that is isolated fromsunflower seeds. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp120) containshigh-mannose and complex N-glycans. The aim of this study wasto analyze whether Helja recognizes gp120 and induces maturationand pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription in dendritic cells (BMDCs).Methods: Helja was purified from Helianthus annuus seedsusing D-mannose-agarose affinity chromatography. Molecular interactionsbetween Helja and recombinant gp120 were evaluatedby dot and ligand blot approaches using anti-Helja antibodies. BMDCswere cultured in complete RPMI medium supplemented withFLT3-L. Cell phenotype was evaluated in Helja-treated BMDCs bymeasuring membrane proteins (CD86, CD40, MHCII, CD11c, CD80,Clec9a, Ly6G, SIPRα, CD103 and SiglecH) by FACS. BMDCs cytokineprofiles were analyzed using RT-qPCR (il-6, tnf-α, il-12, inf-αtgf-b, and il-10). Results: Helja-gp120 interactions were measuredby immunodetection and confirmed by ligand blot assays. A signaldot was observed at a MW of 95 kDa. Next, BMDCs were stimulatedwith Helja (10 μg/ml) to evaluate cell activation. The lectin induced amarked upregulation of MHCII, MHCI, CD80, CD40 and CD86 (n=3,**p