Lectin-mediated bioadhesion: binding characteristics of plant lectins on the enterocyte-like cell lines Caco-2, HT-29 and HCT-8.

In order to take advantage of the biorecognition between lectins and specific carbohydrates for targeted drug delivery, fluorescein-labelled lectins of different carbohydrate specificities were screened for binding to human colorectal carcinoma cell lines by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The lectin-binding rate increased as follows: Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, DBA