Application of lectins for detection of glycomic differences in the epididymal duct in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) / Aplicación de lectinas para la detección de diferencias glucómicas en el conducto epididimario en búfalos de agua (Bubalus bubalis) y dromedarios (Camelus dromedarius)

SUMMARY: The present study was conducted to detect the differences in glycohistochemical features in the epididymal duct of the dromedary camel and the water buffalo. Epididymal sections (caput, corpus and cauda) from both species were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated lectins. Binding sites for five lectins (DBA, GSA-1, HPA, PNA and WGA) have been found in both species. The binding sites of different lectins showed significant variations in the pattern of distribution in both a species. This included both species-specific and region-specific order. Additionally, only three (GSA-1, PNA and WGA) out the five lectins studied exhibited binding sites in all epididymal regions in both species. The other two lectins (DBA and HPA) followed the same order recorded for the other three (GSA-1, PNA and WGA) in buffalo, but failed to show any binding sites in cauda epididymis in camel. In conclusion, the variable regional and species-specific distribution features of lectins revealed that both species have diverse glycomic characteristics that may be related to their different reproductive patterns. However, the glycome-associated functional capacities remain obscured and need further profound investigations.

RESUMEN: El presente estudio se realizó para detectar las diferencias en las características glicohistoquímicas del conducto epididimal del dromedario y el búfalo de agua. Las secciones del epidídimo (cabeza, cuerpo y cola) de ambas especies se tiñeron con lectinas conjugadas con isotiocianato de fluoresceína (FITC). Se encontraron sitios de unión para cinco lectinas (DBA, GSA-1, HPA, PNA y WGA) en ambas especies. Los sitios de unión de diferentes lectinas mostraron variaciones significativas en el patrón de distribución en ambas especies. Esto incluía tanto el orden específico de la especie como el específico de la región. Además, solo tres (GSA-1, PNA y WGA) de las cinco lectinas estudiadas exhibieron sitios de unión en todas las regiones del epidídimo en ambas especies. Las otras dos lectinas (DBA y HPA) siguieron el mismo orden registrado para las tres restantes (GSA-1, PNA y WGA) en búfalos, pero no mostraron ningún sitio de union en la cola del epidídimo en camellos. En conclusión, las características de distribución regionales y específicas de especies variables de las lectinas revelaron que ambas especies tienen características glucómicas diversas que pueden estar relacionadas con sus diferentes patrones reproductivos. Sin embargo, las capacidades funcionales asociadas con el glicoma permanecen desconocidas y requieren mayor investigación.

Expression of adipokines in children with primary nephrotic syndrome and its association with hyperlipidemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the expression of adipokines in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) before and after treatment and its correlation with blood lipids, as well as the role of adipokines in PNS children with hyperlipidemia.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 children who were diagnosed with incipient PNS or recurrence of PNS after corticosteroid withdrawal for more than 6 months were enrolled as subjects. Thirty children who underwent physical examination were enrolled as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from the children in the control group and the children with PNS before corticosteroid therapy (active stage) and after urinary protein clearance following 4 weeks of corticosteroid therapy (remission stage). ELISA was used to measure the levels of adipokines. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure blood lipid levels.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the children with PNS had a significantly lower level of omentin-1 in both active and remission stages, and their level of omentin-1 in the active stage was significantly lower than that in the remission stage (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Omentin-1 may be associated with disease activity, dyslipidemia, and proteinuria in children with PNS. Blood lipid ratios may be more effective than traditional blood lipid parameters in monitoring early cardiovascular risk in children with PNS.

Application of glycan microarrays in cancer research / 生物工程学报

Glycosylation is one of the common post-translational modifications of proteins to regulate the ability of tumor invasion, metastasis and tumor heterogeneity by interacting with glycan-binding proteins such as lectins and antibodies. Glycan microarray can be constructed by chemical synthesis, chemical-enzyme synthesis or natural glycan releasing. Glycan microarray is an essential analytical tool to discover the interaction between glycan and its binding proteins. Here we summarize the standard techniques to construct glycan microarray for the application in cancer vaccine, monoclonal antibody and diagnostic markers.

Lectin activity in mycelial extracts of Fusarium species

ABSTRACT Lectins are non-immunogenic carbohydrate-recognizing proteins that bind to glycoproteins, glycolipids, or polysaccharides with high affinity and exhibit remarkable ability to agglutinate erythrocytes and other cells. In the present study, ten Fusarium species previously not explored for lectins were screened for the presence of lectin activity. Mycelial extracts of F. fujikuroi, F. beomiformii, F. begoniae, F. nisikadoi, F. anthophilum, F. incarnatum, and F. tabacinum manifested agglutination of rabbit erythrocytes. Neuraminidase treatment of rabbit erythrocytes increased lectin titers of F. nisikadoi and F. tabacinum extracts, whereas the protease treatment resulted in a significant decline in agglutination by most of the lectins. Results of hapten inhibition studies demonstrated unique carbohydrate specificity of Fusarium lectins toward O-acetyl sialic acids. Activity of the majority of Fusarium lectins exhibited binding affinity to D-ribose, L-fucose, D-glucose, L-arabinose, D-mannitol, D-galactosamine hydrochloride, D-galacturonic acid, N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, 2-deoxy-D-ribose, fetuin, asialofetuin, and bovine submaxillary mucin. Melibiose and N-glycolyl neuraminic acid did not inhibit the activity of any of the Fusarium lectins. Mycelial extracts of F. begoniae, F. nisikadoi, F. anthophilum, and F. incarnatum interacted with most of the carbohydrates tested. F. fujikuroi and F. anthophilum extracts displayed strong interaction with starch. The expression of lectin activity as a function of culture age was investigated. Most species displayed lectin activity on the 7th day of cultivation, and it varied with progressing of culture age.

Study of surface carbohydrates in Galba truncatula tissues before and after infection with Fasciola hepatica

The presence and distribution of surface carbohydrates in the tissues of Galba truncatula snails uninfected or after infection with Fasciola hepatica as well as on the surface of the snail-pathogenic larval stages of the parasite were studied by lectin labelling assay. This is an attempt to find similarities that indicate possible mimicry, utilised by the parasite as an evasion strategy in this snail-trematode system. Different binding patterns were identified on head-foot-mantle, hepatopancreas, genital glands, renopericardial complex of the host as well as of the snail-pathogenic larval stages of F. hepatica. The infection with F. hepatica leads to changes of labelling with Glycine max in the head-mantle cells and Arachis hypogaea in the tubular epithelium of the hepatopancreas. The lectin binding on the other snail tissues is not changed by the development of the larvae. Our data clearly demonstrated the similarity in labelling of G. truncatula tissues and the surface of the snail-pathogenic larval stages of F. hepatica. The role of glycosylation of the contact surfaces of both organisms in relation to the host-parasite interactions is also discussed.

Increased immunohistochemical expression of YKL-40 in the spleen of patients with portal hypertension

YKL-40 has been identified as a growth factor in connective tissue cells and also a migration factor in vascular smooth muscle cells. To a large extent, the increase of serum YKL-40 is attributed to liver fibrosis and asthma. However, the relationship of the expression and clinical/prognostic significance of YKL-40 to the splenomegaly of patients with portal hypertension is unclear. In the present study, the expression of YKL-40 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 48 splenomegaly tissue samples from patients with portal hypertension and in 14 normal spleen specimens. All specimens were quickly stored at -80°C after resection. Primary antibodies YKL-40 (1:150 dilution, rabbit polyclonal IgG) and MMP-9 (1:200 dilution, rabbit monoclonal IgG) and antirabbit immunoglobulins (HRP K4010) were used in this study. The relationship of clinicopathologic features with YKL-40 is presented. The expression of YKL-40 indicated by increased immunochemical reactivity was significantly up-regulated in splenomegaly tissues compared to normal spleen tissues. Overexpression of YKL-40 was found in 68.8 percent of splenomegaly tissues and was significantly associated with Child-Pugh classification (P = 0.000), free portal pressure (correlation coefficient = 0.499, P < 0.01) and spleen fibrosis (correlation coefficient = 0.857, P < 0.01). Further study showed a significant correlation between YKL-40 and MMP-9 (correlation coefficient = -0.839, P < 0.01), indicating that YKL-40 might be an accelerator of spleen tissue remodeling by inhibiting the expression of MMP-9. In conclusion, YKL-40 is an important factor involved in the remodeling of spleen tissue of portal hypertension patients and can be used as a therapeutic target for splenomegaly.

Histochemical Localization of Carbohydrates in Morphological Stages of Developing Human Minor Salivary Glands: A Comparative Study with Cytoskeletal Markers / Localización Histoquímica de Carbohidratos en el Desarrollo de Glándulas Salivales Menores Humanas: un Estudio Comparativo con los Marcadores del Citoesqueleto

Carbohydrates play a critical role in many cellular processes like disease, growth and development. In this work lectins, proteins that recognizes carbohydrate free or conjugated, were used as histochemical probes for carbohydrates localization in developing human minor salivary gland. Immunohistochemistry for traditional cytoskeleton markers (Cks 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, SMA and Vimentin) was performed and then compared whit lectin histochemistry for PNA, WGA, ConA and UEA-I, specifics for D-galactose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, glucose/mannose and L-fucose respectively. For this, specimens were obtained from tongues and lips of 15 human foetuses at 10-28 weeks of gestation. None of immune cytoskeleton markers were identified in the first stage of development differing from carbohydrate markers. UEA-I, WGA and PNA recognized their specific carbohydrate residues in all stages analyzed varying the staining intensity and cell types. Ck8 and N-acetyl-glucosamine were expressed in canalicular, branching and cytodifferentiation stages while SMA and glucose/mannose were observed in the cytodifferentiation stage one. ConA only recognized myoepithelial cells on cytodifferentiation stages because of this specificity ConA could be used as biomarker of myoepithelial cells on cytodifferentiation. Lectin histochemistry suggests that L-fucose, D-galactose e N-acetyl-glucosamine are intensily and previously expressed than traditional cytoskeletal markers in human minor salivary gland during development.

Los hidratos de carbono tienen un papel crítico en muchos procesos celulares, como la enfermedad, el crecimiento y el desarrollo. Fueron utilizadasas lectinas, proteínas que reconocen los hidratos de carbono libres o conjugados, como sondas de localización histoquímica de los carbohidratos en el desarrollo humano de la glándula salival menor. Se realizó inmunohistoquímica de los marcadores tradicionales del citoesqueleto (CKs 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, SMA y vimentina) y posterior comparación con la histoquímica de lectinas para PNA, WGA, ConA y la UEA-I, específicas para D-galactosa, N-acetil-glucosamina, glucosa/manosa y L-fucosa, respectivamente. Para ello, se obtuvieron muestras de la lengua y de los labios de 15 fetos humanos entre 10-28 semanas de gestación. Ninguno de los marcadores inmunológicos del citoesqueleto se identificaron en la primera etapa del desarrollo, diferente de los marcadores de hidratos de carbono. UEA-I, WGA y PNA reconocen sus residuos específicos de hidratos de carbono en todas las etapas analizadas variando la intensidad de la tinción y los tipos de células. CK8 y N-acetil-glucosamina se expresaron en etapas de canalización, ramificación y citodiferenciación mientras que SMA y la glucosa/manosa se observaron solamente en la etapa de citodiferenciación. ConA sólo se reconoció en las células mioepiteliales en etapas de citodiferenciación. Así, debido a esta especificidad, ConA podría utilizarse como marcador biológico de las células mioepiteliales en la citodiferenciación. La histoquímica de lectinas sugiere que L-fucosa, D-galactosa y N-acetil-glucosamina son intensamente expresadas durante el desarrollo como los marcadores tradicionales del citoesqueleto humanos en las glándulas salivales menores .

Mycobacterial heparin-binding haemagglutinin adhesion-induced interferon & antibody for detection of tuberculosis.

Background & objectives: Mycobacterial heparin-binding haemagglutinin adhesin (HBHA) plays an important role in humoral and cellular immune response and is a potential diagnostic tool for tuberculosis (TB) serodiagnosis. This study was carried out to assess the usefulness of HBHA in TB clinics for differential diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB (PTB, EPTB). Methods: In this study, 165 outpatients and 133 healthy volunteers were included to investigate the role of HBHA in TB diagnosis including the serodiagnostic tests and the interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs). The healthy volunteers were all without BCG vaccination including 73 subjects with purified protein derivative (PPD) (-) and 60 ones with PPD (+) (that is P-B- and P+B-). Of all the 165 outpatients 77 were PTB and 88 were EPTB. HBHA protein was used for serodiagnostic tests and IGRAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: HBHA-specific antibody levels in the serum of healthy subjects were significantly different from the patients with PTB or EPTB (P<0.05). HBHA specific antibody levels in PTB patients could differentiate from EPTB with limited sensitivity (77.08%; 95%CI, 62.69 to 87.97%) and specificity (87.50%; 95%CI, 74.75 to 95.27%). IFN-γ levels in the healthy (P+B- and P-B-) groups were significantly different (P<0.01) with a detection sensitivity of 84.8% (95%CI, 68.54 to 93.02%) and specificity of 80.7% (95%CI, 65.22 to 92.62%). The PTB and EPTB subjects showed no difference in IFN-γ production. Interpretation & conclusions: HBHA serodiagnostic test with IGRAs had the limited potential for use as auxiliary tools for the differential diagnosis of PTB and EPTB, since both methods showed low sensitivity and specificity.

Expression patterns of influenza virus receptors in the respiratory tracts of four species of poultry

The primary determinant of influenza virus infectivity is the type of linkage between sialic acid and oligosaccharides on the host cells. Hemagglutinin of avian influenza viruses preferentially binds to sialic acids linked to galactose by an alpha-2,3 linkage whereas hemagglutinin of human influenza viruses binds to sialic acids with an alpha-2,6 linkage. The distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the avian respiratory tracts are of particular interest because these are important for initial viral attachment, replication, and transmission to other species. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the respiratory tract of chickens, ducks, pheasants, and quails because these species have been known to act as intermediate hosts in interspecies transmission. Lectin histochemistry was performed to detect receptor-bearing cells. Cell-specific distribution of the receptors was determined and expression densities were compared. We observed species-, site-, and cell-specific variations in receptor expression. In general, receptor expression was the highest in quails and lowest in ducks. Pheasants and quails had abundant expression of both types of receptors throughout the respiratory tract. These results indicate that pheasants and quails may play important roles as intermediate hosts for the generation of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.

Localization of sugar residues in the stomach of three species of monkeys (Tupaiidae glis, Nycticebus cocang and Callithrix jacchus) by lectin histochemistry / Localización de los residuos de azúcar en el estómago de tres especies de monos (Tupaiidae glis, Nycticebus cocang y Callithrix jacchus) por histoquímica de lectina

The stomach of three species of non-human primates was investigated by lectin histochemistry to clarify the staining affinity and distribution patterns of their sugar residues. All gastric regions, with little differences between the deep and superficial parts of the same region, were rich in. in N-acetylglucosamine and/or neuraminic acid. Although, the superficial regions of the gastric mucosa were scanty in N-acetylgalactosamine, a- D-glucose and a -D-mannose, the deep parts of the gastric mucosa were rich in these sugars. In conclusion, there is a difference among the mucosubstances of surface and foveolar mucous cells, mucous neck cells, and gastric gland cells. This indicates heterogeneous composition of gastric mucus, or mucus molecules with variations in the degree of glycosylation of their oligosaccharide chains in the different cells which suggest that lectin binding affinity in the gastric mucosa correlated mostly to the degree of cellular differentiation.

El estómago de tres especies de primates no humanos fue investigado por histoquímica de lectinas para determinar la afinidad de tinción y los patrones de distribución de sus residuos de azúcar. Todas las regiones gástricas, con pequeñas diferencias entre las partes profundas y superficiales de la misma región, eran ricas en N-acetilglucosamina y/o ácido neuramínico. Si bien, las regiones superficiales de la mucosa gástrica eran escasas en N-acetilgalactosamina, a-D-glucosa y a-D-manosa, las partes profundas de la mucosa gástrica eran ricas en estos azúcares. En conclusión, existe una diferencia entre las mucosustancias de la superficie y células mucosas foveolares, células mucosas del cuello y células de las glándulas gástricas. Esto indica una composición heterogénea de la mucosa gástrica, o moléculas de moco con variaciones en el grado de glicosilación de sus cadenas de oligosacáridos en las diferentes células, sugieriendo que la afinidad de union de lectinas en la mucosa gástrica se relacionada principalmente con el grado de diferenciación celular.

Carbohydrates detection in the hepatic egg - granuloma system using lectin histochemistry

This study aims to evaluate the egg-granuloma system in hepatic tissues using lectin histochemistry in experimental Schistosomiasis. Eight Swiss mice were infected with a local strain of Schistosoma mansoni, being submitted forty days later to a perfusion after which slices of liver were prepared. The tissue samples were incubated with the following peroxidase conjugated lectins: Peanut agglutinin (PNA), Wheat Germ agglutinin (WGA), and Concanavalin A (Con A). All lectins recognized the glycoconjugates in the adult worm tegument. In the hepatic tissue, WGA presented the highest staining followed by PNA and Con A. The PNA presented the most intense staining of the egg-granuloma system while WGA stained the hepatic sinusoid cells and Con A bound preferentially the fibrosis rings of granuloma and the surrounding hepatic parenquima. WGA and PNA indicated the presence of residues of N-acetyl-glucosamine and galactose in the surface of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the hepatic granulomas. In conclusion, using PNA, Con A and WGA our study presented different aspects of the egg-granuloma and Tegument of Schistosoma mansoni as well as indicated differences in the peri-ovular granulomas indicating alterations in the cellular mechanism of expression of surface carbohydrates during progression of the Schistosomiasis.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el sistema de los huevos de los granulomas en los tejidos hepáticos, utilizando histoquímica de lectinas esquistosomiasis. Ocho ratones suizos experimentales fueron infectados con una cepa local de Schistosoma mansoni y luego a los cuarenta días fueron sometidos a la perfusión y se prepararon cortes de hígado. Las muestras de los tejidos fueron incubadas con las siguientes peroxidasas lectinas conjugadas: aglutinina de maní (PNA), aglutinina de germenn de trigo (WGA), Concanavalin A (Con A). Todas las lectinas reconocieron las glicoconjugadas en el tegumento del gusano adulto. El tejido hepático con WGA presentó mayor coloración seguido de PNA y Con A. El PNA presentó la más intensa tinción de los huevos mientras el granuloma del sistema WGA tiñó las células hepáticas sinusoides y las Con A estuvieron siempre presentes en los anillos de la fibrosis y alrededor de los granulomas hepáticos del parénquima. WGA y PNA indicaron la presencia de residuos de N - acetil - glucosamina y galactosa en la superficie de los huevos de Schistosoma mansoni en los granulomas hepáticos de esquistosomiasis.

Differential lectin labelling of circulating hemocytes from Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila resistant or susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni infection

Lectins/carbohydrate binding can be involved in the Schistosoma mansoni recognition and activation of the Biomphalaria hemocytes. Therefore, expression of lectin ligands on Biomphalaria hemocytes would be associated with snail resistance against S. mansoni infection. To test this hypothesis, circulating hemocytes were isolated from B. glabrata BH (snail strain highy susceptible to S. mansoni), B. tenagophila Cabo Frio (moderate susceptibility), and B. tenagophila Taim (completely resistant strains), labelled with FITC conjugated lectins (ConA, PNA, SBA, and WGA) and analyzed under fluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrated that although lectin-labelled hemocytes were detected in hemolymph of all snail species tested, circulating hemocytes from both strains of B. tenagophila showed a larger number of lectin-labelled cells than B. glabrata. Moreover, most of circulating hemocytes of B. tenagophila were intensively labelled by lectins PNA-FITC and WGA-FITC, while in B. glabrata small hemocytes were labeled mainly by ConA. Upon S. mansoni infection, lectin-labelled hemocytes almost disappeared from the hemolymph of Taim and accumulated in B. glabrata BH. The role of lectins/carbohydrate binding in resistance of B. tengophila infection to S. mansoni is still not fully understood, but the data suggest that there may be a correlation to its presence with susceptibility or resistance to the parasite.

Malaysian mosquitocidal soil bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) strains with selective hemolytic and lectin activity against human and rat erythrocytes.

The objective of this study is to determine the role of carbohydrates on the toxic effect of parasporal inclusion proteins isolated from Malaysian mosquitocidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains on erythrocytes (human and rat). Dose response analyses on the effect of these parasporal inclusions on human and rat erythrocytes suggest that toxin action is selective depending on bacterial strains and source of erythrocytes. Results from this study suggest Bt toxin is a lectin which recognizes specific plasma membrane glycoconjugate receptor(s) with a terminal residue of either D-mannose (Man), N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc), N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) or even a combination of these monosaccharides.

Contact of Entamoeba histolytica with baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cell line on cysteine proteinase activity.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis and amoebic liver abscess, lyses host cells by direct contact using surface lectins and releases cysteine proteinase (CP). Virulence of E. histolytica is directly related to activity of its CP. The relationship of CP activity and cytotoxicity has not been established. The present study was carried out to explore the events following contact of E. histolytica with target cells. METHODS: Protease activity of E. histolytica was measured by azocaseine and haemoglobin assays, and cysteine proteinase activity was assessed by substrate gel electrophoresis. Target cell lysis was measured by chromium release assay. RESULTS: Protease activity of E. histolytica was increased 2.5-fold following contact with BHK-21 cell line. CP activity of trophozoites alone was visualized at position 56, 35 and 29 kDa in substrate gel electrophoresis. Contact of trophozoites with target cells augmented the cytotoxic activity of amoebic CP. The increase in CP activity seen by substrate gel electrophoresis and cytotoxicity assay was blocked by pretreatment with E 64, a specific CP inhibitor and GalNAc, a contact inhibitor. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present data showed the involvement of amoebic CP in cytotoxicity and that the CP activity was enhanced on lectin-mediated contact of E. histolytica to the target cells. Further studies need to be done to understand the mechanism at the molecular level.

Altered lectin-binding sites in normal colon and ulcerative colitis

O presente trabalho objetivou, através de histoquímica com lectinas e análise digital de imagens, avaliar a expressão de carboidratos em amostras de colo normal e com colite ulcerativa. A partir de fragmentos de mucosa intestinal foram obtidos cortes histológicos (4mm) que foram incubados com lectinas (Con A, WGA, LTA e PNA), e os resultados das marcações foram avaliados através de microscopia óptica e sistema de análise de imagens. Os resultados obtidos revelaram uma intensa marcação para as células inflamatórias, principalmente neutrófilos infiltrados no tecido de reto e sigmóide, bem como células das glândulas intestinais. As lectinas WGA e LTA exibiram padrões distintos de marcação entre o epitélio normal e os casos de colite ulcerativa. As lectinas PNA e Con A falharam em reconhecer os carboidratos celulares nos casos estudados em ambos os grupos. Os resultados obtidos foram confirmados pela análise de imagem. As observações obtidas sugerem que as lectinas WGA e LTA são marcadores promissores para diferenciar o epitélio normal do padrão inflamatório da colite ulcerativa, indicando uma expressão distinta de N-acetilglicosamina e L-fucose nos respectivos casos estudados.

Antibacterial activity of lactose-binding lectins from Bufo arenarum skin

Amphibians respond to microbial infection through cellular and humoral defense mechanisms such as antimicrobial protein secretion. Most humoral defense proteins are synthetized in the skin. In this study we isolated two beta-galactoside-binding lectins with molecular weights of 50 and 56 KDa from the skin of Bufo arenarum. These lectins have significant hemagglutination activity against trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes, which was inhibited by galactose-containing saccharides. They are water-soluble and independent of the presence of calcium. The antimicrobial analysis for each lectin was performed. At mumolar concentration lectins show strong bacteriostatic activity against Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli K12 4100 and wild strains of Escherichia coli and Proteus morganii) and Gram positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis). The antibacterial activity of these lectins may provide an effective defense against invading microbes in the amphibian Bufo arenarum.

Histochemical Characterization of the Lectin-binding Sites in the Equine Vomeronasal Organ

The binding specificities of various lectins, such as the Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and the Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (Isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) lectins, were studied in the vomeronasal organ of the horse. The microvilli of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium were positive for DBA, SBA, Isolectin B4, WGA, PNA, and UEA-I. The receptor cells showed intense reactivity for DBA and WGA. Lectins were not detected in the supporting cells or basal cells. The Jacobson's glands were positive for WGA and UEA-I, but lectins were absent from the nerve bundles. From these results, we postulate that several lectin-binding carbohydrates on the microvilli and neurosensory cells are associated with chemoreception in the horse. In addition, the differential lectin-binding patterns in the horse suggest that the carbohydrates present in this particular sense organ are species-specific.

Histochemical Detection of Glycoconjugates in the Male Reproductive System of the Horse

Lectins are glycoproteins of plant and animal origin that have the ability to bind specific carbohydrate residues of cell glycoconjugates, particularly in terminal positions. In this study, the binding of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), was studied in the reproductive systems of male thoroughbred horses.DBA was detected in the stereocilia of the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. It was weakly detected in connective tissue of the corpus epididymis. Strong SBA staining was seen in epithelial cells in the testis, stereocilia of the corpus and cauda epididymis, and in the vas deferens. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in interstitial cells in all tissue and serosa of the vas deferens. PNA staining was seen only in stereocilia in the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. Strong WGA staining was seen throughout the testis, except in Sertoli cells, stereocilia, and connective tissue. UEA-I was detected in secondary spermatids, stereocilia, and epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis.These results show that degenerating cells in the testis, epididymal tubules, and vas deferens have differential affinities for lectins, and suggest that lectins play a role in the reproductive system of the horse. The heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern in the reproductive tubules of adult horses suggests that the carbohydrate composition of each cell type is region specific.

Histochemistry of Six Lectins in the Tissues of the Flat Fish Paralichthys olivaceus

Lectins are glycoproteins that specifically bind carbohydrate structures and may participate in the biodefense mechanisms of fish. In this study, the binding of three lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) were studied in the gill, liver, intestine, kidney, heart, and spleen of the flat fish Paralichthys olivaceus. DBA was detected in intestinal mucous cells, as well as in gill epithelial and mucous cells. It was weakly detected in renal tubule epithelial cells and in bile duct epithelial cells. The strong SBA staining was seen in the intestinal club cells, in bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubule epithelial cells. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in gill epithelial and mucous cells, and the strong isolectin B4 staining was seen in epithelial cells of the bile duct and intestine. The strong WGA staining was seen in the gill mucosal cells, sinusoid, renal tubule epithelial cells and mucosal cells of the intestine. UEA-I was detected in the gill epithelial and mucosal cells, bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells. These results suggest that the six lectins examined were localized in the covering epithelia of the various organs of the flat fish and they may participate in the biodefense mechanism of the intra body surface in which is exposed to various antigens.