Human serum mannose-binding lectin senses wall teichoic acid Glycopolymer of Staphylococcus aureus, which is restricted in infancy.

ABSTRACT: Innate immunity is the first line of host defense against invading pathogens, and it is recognized by a variety of pattern recognition molecules, including mannose-binding lectin (MBL). MBL binds to mannose and N-acetylglucosamine residues present on the glycopolymers of microorganisms. Human serum MBL functions as an opsonin and activates the lectin complement pathway. However, which glycopolymer of microorganism is recognized by MBL is still uncertain. Here, we show that wall teichoic acid of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial cell surface glycopolymer containing N-acetylglucosamine residue, is a functional ligand of MBL. Whereas serum MBL in adults did not bind to wall teichoic acid because of an inhibitory effect of anti-wall teichoic acid antibodies, MBL in infants who had not yet ful

SUBMITTER: Park KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2930715 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature