Mannose-binding lectin does not explain the course and outcome of pregnancy in rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves during pregnancy and flares after delivery. It has been hypothesized that high levels of the complement factor mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are associated with a favourable disease course of RA by facilitating the clearance of pathogenic immunoglobulin G (IgG) lacking galactose sugar moieties. During pregnancy, increased galactosylation of IgG and simultaneously increased MBL levels can be observed, with the latter being strictly related to maternal MBL genotypes. Therefore, increased MBL levels in concert with increased IgG galactosylation may be associated with pregnancy-induced improvement of RA. The objective of this study was to investigate whether MBL genotypes are associated with changes in RA disease activity and with changes

SUBMITTER: van de Geijn FE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3241354 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature