Therapeutic applications of mannan-binding lectin

Polymorphisms in Mannan-Binding Lectin

Introduction to mannan-binding lectin.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) was first discovered as a plasma opsonin for baker's yeast and was independently characterized biochemically. It belongs to the small subfamily of collectins: C-type lectins possessing a collagen-like domain. MBL is synthesized by the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. It is believed to be an important component of innate immunity, acting as an ante-antibody an...

Clinical manifestations of mannan-binding lectin deficiency.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein of the innate immune system with the ability to initiate antimicrobial and inflammatory actions. MBL deficiency is common. More than 10% of the general population may, depending on definition, be classified as MBL deficient, underlining the redundancy of the immune system. Ongoing research attempt to illuminate at which conditions MBL deficiency m...

Mannan binding lectin deficiency and concomitant immunodefects.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of a mannan binding lectin (MBL) deficiency in children with increased susceptibility to infections and to investigate whether other coexisting immunodeficiencies affecting opsonisation are needed to render MBL deficiency clinically significant. PATIENTS AND METHODS 343 serum samples were collected from 266 children with repeated infections, a single epis...

Recombinant mannan-binding lectin (MBL) for therapy.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein involved in the innate immune response. It binds to a number of micro-organisms and promotes killing of these through complement activation either directly or through opsonization. Clinical evidence indicates that in a variety of situations genetically determined low MBL levels are associated with increased susceptibility to infections. Infusions ...