Mistletoe Lectin-I as a Biomodulator

Author(s): Hostanska, K., Herrmann, R.

Abstract: Lectins as polyvalent ligands following their binding to immune cells are able to ac-tivate biosignalling pathways. Galactoside-specific lectin (ML-I) isolated from mis-tletoe plants belongs to a lectin family which at a certain dose was shown to exhibit cytostatic (ribosome-inactivating) and immunomodulatory potency on experimental model. In various trials, ML-1 revealed a bell-shaped dose-effect relationship. Possible mechanisms of this effect are increases in cytotoxic activity and concentration of natural killer (NK) cells or in phagocytic activity of granulocytes mediated by lectininduced enhanced secretion of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. On the basis of investigations in animal models and some clinical observations, it is hoped that a dose of ML-1 based on the cytokine release and immunomodulation as well as on appropriate intervals of its administration can reveal a nontoxic possibility in tumor immunotherapy. The question whether clinical application of ML-I has a beneficial effect on the course of human diseases is open.

Keyword(s): Mistellektin

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