A sunflower mannose-binding lectin modulates the release of cytokines from blood mononuclear cells

DEL RIO M; HERNANDEZ-CHAVEZ M; FASSOLARI M; DE LA CANAL L; PINEDO M; MORA-MONTES H M; REGENTE M

Congreso; SAIC-Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2018

The immunomodulatory therapies are based in the stimulation of specific hostimmune responses against microbes rather than target microbe viability orvirulence. Thus, induction or suppression of the immune system can be useful inthe treatment of infectious processes. Changes in the production of cytokinespromoted by treatment with synthetic drugs or natural compounds are essential forthe activation and recruitment of the immune response. Among the naturalproducts, plant lectins are known as potent immunomodulatory agents, able to actin both innate and adaptive immune system. They modulate the production ofcytokines and other mediators of immune response (such as reactive oxygen andnitrogen species), and thus, improve the defenses against microbes. We havepreviously isolated a sunflower mannose-binding lectin belonging to the jacalinfamily, which was called Helja (Helianthus annuus jacalin). The purpose of thisstudy was to assess the effect of Helja on human peripheral blood mononuclearcells (PBMCs) activation with a focus on inflammatory mediators release. HumanPBMCs were incubated with Helja for 24 h and the cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 andIL-10 were quantified by ELISA technique. Helja (1 and 10 µg/ml) showed theability to induce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6;and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Thus, Helja displayed a modulatoryprofile compatible with a polyclonal activation, since both the levels ofproinflammatory cytokines and suppressors of inflammation increased as a resultof the stimulation of PBMCs with the lectin. Further studies are needed tocharacterize the immunomodulatory activity of Helja, to provide knowledge aboutthe molecular mechanism that governs its action in PBMCs and to evaluate itspotential application as immunopharmacological tool.