Abstract
The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) (also known as the mannose-binding protein) is a serum protein that plays a role as an "ante-antibody" in innate immunity. In man, MBL is encoded by a single gene, whereas in mice there are two homologous proteins, MBL-A and MBL-C. In order to evaluate the relative roles of these two forms of MBL, we created MBL-A null mice that were MBL-C sufficient. We found MBL-A null mice had enhanced survival in a septic peritonitis model compared to wild-type mice and complement 3 null mice at 24 h, 48 h and 10 d (P <0.05). Reconstitution of these mice with human MBL reversed the phenotype. Surviving mice had significantly decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the blood and peritoneal cavity (P <0.01). In vitro studies indicate that bacteria opsonized with MBL-A-deficient serum induced significantly less cytokine by peritoneal macrophages compared to those with wild-type serum. Our results indicate that MBL-A is a modulator of inflammation in vivo and in vitro in the mouse and that the role of MBL may extend beyond its role as an opsonin.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Microbes and Infection |
| Vol/bind | 4 |
| Nummer | 8 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 773-84 |
| Antal sider | 12 |
| ISSN | 1286-4579 |
| Status | Udgivet - 2002 |