Immunoprotective activity of the galactoside- specific mistletoe lectin in cortisone- treated BALB/c mice

Journal/Book: In Vivo 8 (6), 993-992. 1994;

Abstract: Hydrocortisone-acetate (HA)-treatment of BALB/c-mice induced a profoundsuppression of the lymphatic immune system with statisticallysignificant decreases of thymocyte proliferation and maturation rates aswell as peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) counts. To check its putativeimmunoprotective/immunorestoring activity, the optimal immunomodulatingdosage of commercially available mistletoe extract standardized for thegalactoside-specific mistletoe lectin (ML-1) was regularly administered(1 ng ML-1 per kg body weight; subcutaneously). As compared to counts ofthymic lymphatic subsets of HA-treated mice, a considerable upregulation of mature cells expressing helper/inducer (L3T4+) as well ascytotoxic/suppressor (Lyt-2+) phenotypes and immature cells expressingboth antigens (L3T4+/Lyt-2+) could be found after ML-1co-administration. Counts of BALB/c-mouse peripheral blood mononuclearcells also revealed statistically significant increases after ML-1co-administration, as compared to HA-treated animals. Accordingly, ML-1treatment may be supposed to restore the lymphatic system afterimmunosuppressive corticoid treatment and thus this treatment may be ofgreat benefit to patients. Author.

Keyword(s): ADJUVANTS-IMMUNOLOGIC/ PD (pharmacology)

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