Lectins as probes of membrane carbohydrates in mesothelial cells in vitro

Carbohydrates present on the surface of cells have been implicated in such processes as bacterial adherence, surfactant secretion and reutilization, and cell-cell recognition. In this study, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated lectins were used to probe for such carbohydrates on the surface and interior regions of rabbit peritoneal mesothelial cells propagated in vitro. A cell permeabilization technique employing treatment with formalin and saponin provided the greatest presentation of surface membrane structure and lectin binding. FITC-lectins derived from C. ensiformis (Concanavalin A; mannose specific), T. vulgaris, A. hypogaea, E. cristagalli, B. simplicifolia, and M. pomifera bound to the cell surface. When two strains of Edwarsiella tarda were exposed to the mesothelial cells, only the mannose-specific strain (ET-4) demonstrated substantial adherence to the cell surface.