Role of the mannose-binding lectin in innate immunity

Abstract

The ability to recognize infectious agents from self is intrinsic to innate immunity. One basic tenet of innate immunity is the evolution of classes of molecules that are termed "pattern-recognition" receptors and molecules. Many pattern-recognition molecules conspire together to protect the host in the first minutes and hours after exposure to an infectious challenge. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL; also termed "mannose-binding protein") is a prototypic pattern-recognition molecule that appears to play a role as an "ante-antibody" in first line host defense. The serum levels of the human MBL are regulated in serum so that any one person will display a phenotype of low, intermediate, or high levels. There appears to be a relationship between circulating MBL and susceptibility and resistance to infection. MBL levels also appear to be regulated by distinct haplotypes. Thus, the question to be answered is what constitutes the innate immunity haplotype in any individual and how does this impact on the relationship between the host and infectious agents?