Differential reactivities of the Arachis hypogaea (peanut) and Vicia villosa B4 lectins with human ovarian carcinoma cells, grown either in vitro or in vivo xenograft model

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Abstract
PNA and VVA B4 recognize the tumor‐associated T antigen and its immediate precursor Tn, respectively. We found that both lectins are highly reactive in vitro, with human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, but only VVA B4 bound significantly to breast and oral cancer cells. This binding is inhibited by specific monosaccharides. The lectin binding receptors were purified, revealing a glycoprotein of 32 kDa for PNA, and two glycoproteins of 35 and 38 kDa for VVA B4. In vivo localization of PNA was almost exclusive (except for the kidneys) to the ovarian tumor xenografts. VVA B4 showed wider tissue biodistribution being preferentially accumulated in the tumors and ovaries.