INFLAMMATORY CUTANEOUS REACTION INDUCED BY THE LECTIN OF DIOCLEA-GRANDIFLORA (MART)

The lectin from Dioclea grandiflora (Mart.) that selectively binds glu cose and mannose, when subcutaneously injected in mouse induces an inf lammatory cutaneous reaction whose histological analysis reveals an he morrhagic ulceration with exudative reaction accompanied by an influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and giant cells. The presence of lymph ocytes and plasma cells in the lesion was insignificant. In order to c haracterize the in vivo action of inflammatory factors generated by th is lesion, distinct lines of mice were used: high and low antibody res ponder mice; the genetically selected mice to the acute phase of infla mmatory reaction; lines of mice deficient in C5, a protein of the comp lement system. It is shown that the lectin of D. grandiflora acts as a n inflammatory agent probably promoting exocytosis and release of medi ators.