Recombinantly produced banana lectin isoform promotes balanced pro-inflammatory response in the colon

Abstract

Recombinant banana lectin isoform (rBanLec) attaches specifically to the mucosal surface, crosses the epithelial barrier and then directly affects the immune response in mouse colon. Structural characteristics, specificity and physiological impacts of rBanLec reported until now highly resemble those of its natural counterpart. Here, we demonstrated that a dose-dependent stimulation of the colon with rBanLec skewed the immune response towards Th1/Th17 direction and this effect was counterbalanced by the rise in IL-10 production. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the established cytokine network were dependent on the applied rBanLec concentration. In addition, rBanLec enhanced local NO production and myeloperoxidase activity and promoted an increase in local IgA and IgG production. Stimulation with rBanLec can be beneficial in prevention of pathologies raised due to inappropriate cell-mediated immune response as well as in prevention of the pathogen invasion via the colon.

Keywords

• Banana lectin
• Colon
• Immunostimulation