Oral Immunization and Allergenicity Induced by Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet Seeds Proteins in Mice and Their Modulation by Carbohydrates

Abstract

The Mangalô bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) is consumed in many places around the world, including Brazil. These leguminous contain Lectins, which are glycoproteins that bound to glico- conjugates and induce many biological responses. The present study is a research on the immunogenic capacity of the Lablab purpureus seeds proteins in orally immunized mice. The lectins’ ability to act as humoral immune response modulators when associated to egg albumin (OVA) and carbohydrates was also analyzed. Mice groups were immunized respectively with L. purpureus total exctract (ET), with L. purpureus ET associated to OVA and L. purpureus ET associated with different carbohydrates, by oral route. The mice fed with the L. purpureus total extract (ET) synthesized specific serological antibodies anti-ET and that response was due to the proteins of high molecular weight (above 45kDa). When the ET was associated to different sugars, the synthesis of specific antibodies anti-ET was mostly inhibited by N-Acetil-D-Glucosamine (p<0.05), followed by Manose, Glucose and Galactose. The ET did not show any modulator effect when associated to egg albumin. The L. purpureus total extract proteins induce oral immunization, but the complete determination of the possible adjuvant effects of lectins contained in the ET needs further investigation.