IgG antibodies are glycoproteins containing a branched sugar moiety attached to the asparagine 297 residue in the antibody constant region (Fc). This glycan is essential for maintaining a functional Fc structure, which is a prerequisite for antibody-mediated effector functions, such as the interaction with cellular Fc receptors or the complement component C1q. Variations in the composition of t...

OBJECTIVE To investigate polymorphisms of both codon 54 allele and promoter variants of the mannose binding lectin (MBL) gene in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS Polymorphisms of codon 54 allele and promoter variants of the MBL gene in 104 patients with SS and 143 healthy controls were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and a...

The influence of the innate immune protein mannose-binding lectin (MBL) on the response of human phagocytes to Neisseria meningitidis was investigated. MBL increased the association of killed meningococci with neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages by increasing the proportion of cells that recognized bacteria. MBL down-regulated the normal change in expression of the leukocyte adhesion molecu...

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased risk of atherosclerosis and CVD that cannot be explained by traditional risk factors. Previous studies indicated that mannose binding lectin (MBL) may modify the development of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate association of MBL gene polymorphism with occurrence of preclinical atherosclerosis in SLE. The stud...

The clinical heterogeneity observed in leptospirosis may be associated with host factors or bacteria virulence. Human serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) recognizes many pathogens, and low levels of this lectin are associated with susceptibility to infection. MBL is also implicated in the modulation of the inflammatory process. We determined the levels of serum MBL during leptospirosis infection...