Mannan-Binding lectin in asthma and allergy

Authors :: Steffen Thiel
Taruna Madan
P. Usha Sarma
Savneet Kaur
Source :: Kaur, S, Thiel, S, Sarma, P U & Madan, T 2006, ' Mannan-binding lectin in asthma and allergy ', Current Allergy & Asthma Reports, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 377-83 .
Publication Year :: 2006
Publisher :: Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2006.
Abstract: Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a vital and versatile component of innate immunity. It is present in serum and may bind to a plethora of microbial pathogens and mediate opsonization of these by complement-dependent and/or independent mechanisms. Low-MBL levels in serum, attributed to certain genetic polymorphisms, constitute a major factor predisposing to several infectious diseases. However, recent studies propose that MBL extends beyond its classic role as a first-line host-defense molecule to a modulator of inflammation. In this review, we summarize and explore this potential and a possible novel role of MBL in asthma and allergy.