REGULATION OF GELATINASE-B (MMP-9) IN LEUKOCYTES BY PLANT-LECTINS

The stimulatory or inhibitory effects of plant lectins on the producti on of gelatinase A (MMP-2) and gelatinase B (MMP-9) by mononuclear whi te blood cells mas investigated by substrate zymography. Leukocyte cul tures from 24-h old buffy coats mere spontaneously activated and produ ced high levels of gelatinase B, Using such cultures the suppressing a ctivity of the Datura stramonium, Viscum album, Bauhinia purpurea, Tri ticum aestivum and Maackia amurensis lectins on gelatinase B induction mere demonstrated. When fresh leukocyte preparations from single bloo d donors mere used, low levels of gelatinase B were produced. The indu ction of gelatinase B mas confirmed for concanavalin A and phytohaemag glutinin (PHA-L4). In addition, the Urtica dioica, Calystegia sepium, Convolvulus arvensis and Colchicum autumnale lectins mere documented a s novel and potent inducers of gelatinase B, Since high circulating ge latinase B levels are associated with specific pathologies, including shock syndromes, the acute toxicity of many lectins might be partially mediated or influenced by gelatinase induction. (C) 1998 Federation o f European Biochemical Societies.