Immunological exploration of virally infected and non-infected leaves of Tobacco plant on human whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

Introduction- Virally infected plants are of great concern especially for farmers including researchers because of enormous loss and cause disease in different crops e.g. vegetables, fruits, cereals etc. In this study, our group focused on those plant viruses which are utilized and showed some significance as an effective tool for vaccine development against various infectious diseases including cancer.

Objective-The objective of our study is to compare the effect of aqueous leaves extract of virally infected i.e. TMV (tobacco mosaic virus) and non-infected tobacco plant (control) on human whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods- In this study, we evaluated the samples of tobacco plant (control, non-infected and virally infected, TMV) were tested on human whole blood pertaining to determine its population i.e. lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes count and also estimated nitric oxide production from human PBMC. In addition, control and virally infected tobacco plant also determined its protein content (SDS PAGE).

Results- The results showed that protein content is more in case of infected TMV plant as compared to non-infected leaves of Tobacco plant. In addition, TMV increased monocytes and granulocytes count including nitric oxide production at lower doses as compared to control. On the other hand, non-infected leaves of tobacco plant showed no enhancement or decline in monocytes and granulocytes count. Overall, virally infected (TMV) leaves sample in the form of aqueous extract showed immunostimulatory effect at lower doses.

Conclusion- Overall, TMV (virally infected; tobacco plant) should be a better candidate for vaccine antigen.

 Key words: Tobacco mosaic virus; protein; monocytes; granulocytes; vaccine