Abstract
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 may lead to disease. With examples, this review illustrates the diversity of results obtained so far.
MeSH terms
- Animals
- Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
- Autoimmune Diseases / pathology*
- Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
- Blood Proteins / deficiency*
- Blood Proteins / therapeutic use
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate*
- Infections / genetics
- Infections / pathology*
- Infections / therapy
- Mannose-Binding Lectin / deficiency*
- Mannose-Binding Lectin / therapeutic use
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / genetics
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / pathology*
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / therapy
- Vascular Diseases / genetics
- Vascular Diseases / pathology*
- Vascular Diseases / therapy
Substances
- Blood Proteins
- MBL2 protein, human
- Mannose-Binding Lectin