Lectin of Bacillus subtilis sp. as overinducer of gamma-interferonogenesis

Ia H Kishko1, M I Vasylenko, V S Pidhors'kyĭ

  • 1Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv.

Mikrobiolohichnyi Zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1993)
|March 25, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Bacillus subtilis lectin effectively induces high levels of gamma-interferon (IFN) in mice, comparable to other lectins. Unpurified bacterial lectins yield the highest gamma-IFN titers in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Gamma-interferon (IFN) is a crucial cytokine involved in immune responses.
  • Lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates and can modulate immune cell activity.
  • Bacterial lectins represent a potential source for novel immunomodulatory agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis lectin in inducing gamma-IFN production against established lectins.
  • To determine optimal conditions for gamma-IFN induction using bacterial lectins in different species.
  • To investigate the impact of bacterial lectin purification levels on gamma-IFN induction.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental induction of gamma-IFN in CBA mice using Bacillus subtilis lectin, Con A, PHA, and Laburnum anagyroides lectin.
  • Determination of gamma-IFN titers in blood serum via established assays.
  • Optimization of swine immunocyte suspension density for maximal gamma-IFN synthesis.
  • Comparative analysis of gamma-IFN induction using non-purified, half-purified, and purified bacterial lectins in mice.
  • In vivo and in vitro validation of findings across species including swine, cattle, and humans.

Main Results:

  • Bacillus subtilis lectin induced maximal gamma-IFN titers (153.6 +/- 17.0 IU/ml) in mice within 4 hours, comparable to Laburnum anagyroides lectin.
  • Con A and PHA induced lower gamma-IFN titers compared to Bacillus subtilis and Laburnum anagyroides lectins.
  • Optimal swine immunocyte suspension density for gamma-IFN synthesis was 2.5 x 10^7 cells/ml, yielding a titer of 1:2150.
  • Non-purified Bacillus subtilis lectin resulted in the highest gamma-IFN titers in mice, with titers 4 times lower for half-purified and purified lectins.
  • Results were consistent across in vivo mouse studies and in vitro induction in swine, cattle, and human immunocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Bacillus subtilis lectin is a potent inducer of gamma-IFN, offering an alternative to conventional lectins.
  • The level of purification significantly affects the immunomodulatory activity of bacterial lectins.
  • Bacterial lectins demonstrate broad applicability for gamma-IFN induction across various mammalian species.

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