Influence of Bacillus subtilis sp. lectin on functional activity of phagocytes.

Intramuscular and intraperitoneal introduction of Bacillus subtilis sp. lectin to mongrel white mice is responsible for the increasing of values of functional activity of peripheral blood phagocytes and peritoneal macrophages of these animals. These results confirmed similar data obtained in vitro. Bactericidal activity of monocytes and neutrophils significantly increased at minimal doses of lectin (0.1-0.5 microgram/animal). But this increase was lower at middle doses (0.5-5.0 micrograms/animal) and again increased at higher ones (5.0-25.0 micrograms/animal). Dose-dependent effect of lectin on macrophages was similar, but it was observed at lower concentrations. Administration of lectin did not give increase of functional reserve of studied cells, but was responsible for the increase of the phagocyte number and phagocytic index of monocytes and neutrophils at relatively middle doses (1.0-5.0 micrograms/animal). Phagocytic activity of macrophages did not increase. Thus, lectin of B. subtilis sp. is the agent non-toxic during studies in vivo, stimulating functional activity of phagocytes and macrophages.