Expression of Canavalia gladiata lectin in leukemic cells

In this study an attempt was made to find out new tissue specific lectin from the seeds of Canavalia gladiata and to investigate whether this could be used as biological markers in haematological malignancies. Lectin binding studies showed that Lymphoid leukemias such as ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) and CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) cells did not show any reactivity with CGL (Canavalia gladiata lectin). Blast cells of myeloid leukemias showed varying intensities of staining. Kruskal Wallis One Way ANOVA showed significance in expression of the lectin with different types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Lectin cytochemical studies in leukemia revealed its usefulness in differentiating lymphoid leukemias from myeloid leukemias.