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Lectins from jackfruit seeds: modulation of macrophage pro or antitumor responses against colonic neoplastic cells

Grant number: 09/16513-1
Support Opportunities:Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
Start date: February 01, 2010
End date: January 31, 2011
Field of knowledge:Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
Principal Investigator:Gabriela Silva Bisson
Grantee:Livia Maria Scarpino de Castro
Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the major component of the inflammatory microenvironment of most tumors. These cells display an elevated functional plasticity and are able to express distinct functional programs in response to the microenvironmental signals. TAMs have a dual function in their interaction with neoplastic cells and can express pro or antitumor activities. Compounds that have immunomodulatory activities can be used to modulate the activities of TAMs, presenting a great potential for use in cancer therapies. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms and the extracellular ligands that determine the functional differentiation of these cells. In addition to stimulating innate and adaptive immune responses, lectins can interfere with the biology of transformed cells. These molecules have been adopted in alternative therapies of tumors in Europe. The lectins ArtinM and jacalin, extracted from seeds of Artocarpus integrifolia, have anti-proliferative effect on certain tumor cells and are able to induce activation of cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage or macrophages. In the present study, we will investigate the modulation of macrophage pro or antitumor responses by these lectins. To this end, we will use in vitro models to study the effects of supernatants of stimulated macrophages on human colon adenocarcinoma cells. The knowledge generated in this study would contribute to the design of therapeutic interventions that exploit the functional plasticity of macrophages in order to favor the antitumor responses. (AU)

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