Lectin production by human T-lymphocytes

Cultured human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) and the cell line H9 release a lectin. This lectin is not the previously described sarcolectin, since it does not specifically recognize the sugars lactose and sialic acid. The lectinic T-cell factor reduces the release by APCs of IFNα — a key cytokine known to inhibit the proliferation of activated T-lymphocytes.