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Inhibition of Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cell Growth by Griffonia simplicifolia I Lectin in Vivo¹

Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109

Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia I (GS I) seeds contain a family of -D-galactopyranosyl-binding isolectins which strongly agglutinate Ehrlich ascites tumor cells due to the presence of this determinant sugar on their cell surface glycoproteins. Administration of GS I lectin (100 µg/day or 300 µg on alternate days, i.p.) inhibits the growth of Ehrlich tumor cells in vivo. Mice given injections of only Ehrlich cells lived an average of 36 ± 13 (S.E.) days with no mouse surviving longer than 53 days. Mice given injections of Ehrlich cells and 100 µg GS I lectin daily or 300 µg GS I lectin on alternate days showed 75 and 62% survival, respectively, after 60 days. Lectin-dependent, macrophage-mediated tumor cell lysis may be the mechanism whereby the GS I lectin exerts its cytotoxic effect.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Grant CA20424 awarded by the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, and Institutional Grant 341387 from the American Cancer Society.

² Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N. C. 27710.

³ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 9/10/81. Accepted 4/26/82.