Interactions Between Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and Pathogenic Bacteria and their Inhibition by Lectin-Antibodies

In this study, using pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, it was analyzed whether a polyclonal serum and a monoclonal antibody to A. culbertsoni mannose-binding protein (MBP) could inhibit its interaction. The association of the amoeba with E. coli O157:H7 was very strong at a level of over 100%, but the non-pathogenic E. coli strain was about five times lower at 22%. Pathogenic K. pnueumoniae also showed high association with amoeba by about 92% as compared with pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 and S. agalactiae. The polyclonal serum to MBP inhibited E. coli O157:H7 association to amoeba 2.5 times more than untreated E. coli O157:H7. Monoclonal antibody to MBP also inhibited bacterial association with amoeba but was not stronger than the polyclonal serum. Pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 showed about 88% invasion into amoeba and decreased about 22% as compared with associated E. coli O157:H7. Polyclonal serum to MBP inhibited about 55%, 50%, and 44% in E. coli O157:H7, K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae, respectively. The invasion of K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae was not high as polyclonal serum but was about 8% to 10% weaker than polyclonal serum. The pathogenic strains of K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae showed less decrease in survival as shown at invasion than E. coli O157:H7 without antibody. This study provided the information that the pathogenic bacteria could be more interactive with A. culbertsoni trophozoites as a reservoir host than non-pathogenic E. coli, and the amoeba should interact with bacteria by the MBP lectin.

Lectins from the Edible Mushroom Agaricus bisporus and Their Therapeutic Potentials

The mushroom Agaricus bisporus secretes biologically active compounds and proteins with benefits for human health. Most reported proteins from A. bisporus are tyrosinases and lectins. Lectins are of therapeutic or pharmaceutical interest. To date, only limited information is available on A. bisporus lectins and lectin-like proteins. No therapeutic products derived from A. bisporus lectin (ABL) are available on the market despite its extensive exploration. Recently, A. bisporus mannose-binding protein (Abmb) was discovered. Its discovery enriches the information and increases the interest in proteins with therapeutic potential from this mushroom. Furthermore, the A. bisporus genome reveals the possible occurrence of other lectins in this mushroom that may also have therapeutic potential. Most of these putative lectins belong to the same lectin groups as ABL and Abmb. Their relationship is discussed. Particular attention is addressed to ABL and Abmb, which have been explored for their potential in medicinal or pharmaceutical applications. ABL and Abmb have anti-proliferative activities toward cancer cells and a stimulatory effect on the immune system. Possible scenarios for their use in therapy and modification are also presented.