Mitogenic lectins from Cephalosporium curvulum (CSL) and Aspergillus oryzae (AOL) mediate host-pathogen interactions leading to mycotic keratitis.

A core-fucose-specific lectin, CSL from Cephalosporium curvulum, has been reported earlier. Here we assign the role for CSL and another lectin AOL, from pathogenic fungus Aspergillus oryzae, in causing mycotic keratitis. CSL and AOL show strong binding to immortalized and primary human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) which are inhibited by asialofetuin, confirming their glycan-mediated binding.

Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and antitumour effects of Sclerotium rolfsii lectin in mice.

Sclerotium rolfsii lectin (SRL) is a lectin isolated from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii and has exquisite binding specificity towards the oncofetal Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-Ag; Galβ1-3GalNAcα-O-Ser/Thr) and its derivatives. Previous studies have shown that SRL inhibits the proliferation of human colon, breast and ovarian cancer cells in vitro and suppresses tumour growth in mice when introduced intratumourally. The present study assessed the effect of SRL on tumour growth when introduced intraperitoneally in BALB/c nude mice and investigated the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of SRL in Swiss albino mice.