Title:Mannose Binding Lectin: A Potential Biomarker for Many Human Diseases
Volume: 23
Issue: 33
Author(s): Senjam Sunil Singh, Randy Chi Fai Cheung, Jack Ho Wong and Tzi Bun Ng
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Mannose binding lectins, innate immune system, polymorphism, complement activation, biomarker,
therapeutic target.
Abstract: The innate immune system plays a modulatory role in producing
an inflammatory response during microbial infection and tissue regeneration.
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a predominant constituent of the innate
immune system which initiates one of the complement activation, the lectin
pathway. The activation of the complement system is also associated with
many human diseases. We, therefore, try to summarize herewith the prognostic
value of early detection of serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and
measurement of its levels. The variant alleles and single nucleotide substitutions
in MBL2 gene associated with MBL polymorphism are responsible for
an increased risk of infection. Based on the currently available evidence, the
role of MBL in humans is a double facet; sometimes its presence is associated with deterioration
of the pathological condition while in other cases it is an important part of the body defense
system. The importance of the determination of serum MBL as a diagnostic biomarker
is duly addressed and then substitution of plasma-purified or recombinant MBL which can be
a potential therapeutic for the treatment of human diseases is also highlighted. We have
summarized in this article the pivotal roles of MBL in the early pathophysiology of various
diseases and shown that MBL serves as a novel therapeutic target.
