Stimulation of murine macrophages by native and heat-denatured lectin from Abrus precatorius

We have evaluated the immunostimulant activity of native agglutinin (NA) and heat-denatured agglutinin (HDA) obtained from Abrus precatorius seed kernels on murine macrophages. Activated macrophages play an important role in nonspecific immunostimulation in turn by activating the other immune cells in the cascade. Significant alterations are observed in the macrophage functions both by native and heat-denatured Abrus agglutinin. Increased production of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide and a high phagocytic and bactericidal activity is potentiated by both NA and HDA. It is also observed that activated macrophages also released interleukin-1. These results suggest that both NA and HDA act as immunostimulants in vitro.