Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 53, 156-161, 2000
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Original Article
Jackfruit Lectin: Properties of Mitogenicity and the Inhibition of Herpesvirus Infection
Nuanchawee Wetprasit*, Weena Threesangsri1, Natapong Klamklai1 and Montri Chulavatnatol2
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240, 1National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000 and 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
(Received March 30, 2000. Accepted August 21, 2000)
SUMMARY: Jackfruit lectin (JFL) from Artocarpus heterophyllus has been found to exhibit an inhibitory activity in vitro with a cytopathic effect towards herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), varicellar-zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The 50% inhibitory dose values from plaque reduction assay (inactivation) were 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/ml of JFL for HSV-2, VZV, and CMV, respectively. Lymphocyte proliferation was significantly increased in the presence of the JFL in the concentration range of 2.5 to 50 μg/ml, but was reduced at 500 μg/ml. It was found that CD16+/CD56+ cells (natural killer cells) were induced among the primary lymphocyte subpopulations. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells was not affected by JFL in the concentration range of 5 to 500 μg/ml. These data suggest that JFL is mitogenic for NK lymphocyte (CD16+/CD56+) and also active against HSV-2, VZV, and CMV.
* Corresponding author: Tel/Fax: +66-2-319-4385, E-mail: nuanwee@yahoo.com
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