The ambiguous role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in human immunity.

ABSTRACT: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and lectin complement pathway have become targets of increasing clinical interest. Many aspects of MBL have been recently explored, including the structural properties that allow it to distinguish self from non-self/altered-self structures. Experimental evidences have declared the additional 5'- and 3'-variants that in amalgamation with well-known secretor polymorphisms change MBL function and concentration. Moreover, the current review highlights the differential behavior of MBL on exposure with extra/intracellular pathogens and in autoimmune diseases, stressing the fact that "high MBL levels can increase diseases susceptibility," a paradox that needs justification. Attributable to these discrepancies, no absolute level of MBL deficiency could be defined so fa

SUBMITTER: Kalia N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7917369 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature