Podolsky Michael J, Lasker Aaron, Flaminio M Julia B F, Gowda Lakshmi D, Ezekowitz R Alan B, Takahashi Kazue
Laboratory of Developmental Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 May 12;343(3):928-36. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.03.055. Epub 2006 Mar 29.
The mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a pattern recognition serum protein, participates in the innate immune system of mammals as an opsonin. In humans, MBL plays a key role in first-line host defense against infection during the lag period prior to the development of a specific immune response. MBL also activates complement via the lectin pathway that requires a MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2). Homologues of human MBL (hMBL) have been identified in a variety of mammals, fish, and primitive animals such as ascidians. In this study, we report that equine MBL (eMBL) has properties that are similar to hMBL. In addition, we found low levels of MBL:MASP activity in sick horses compared to healthy horses. These results suggest that eMBL is involved in the immune response of the horse and that low MBL:MASP activity could be used to monitor immune function and clinical outcome.
甘露糖结合凝集素（MBL）是一种模式识别血清蛋白，作为调理素参与哺乳动物的固有免疫系统。在人类中，MBL在特异性免疫反应发生前的潜伏期对宿主抵抗感染的一线防御中起关键作用。MBL还通过需要MBL相关丝氨酸蛋白酶-2（MASP-2）的凝集素途径激活补体。在多种哺乳动物、鱼类和诸如海鞘等原始动物中已鉴定出人类MBL（hMBL）的同源物。在本研究中，我们报道马MBL（eMBL）具有与hMBL相似的特性。此外，我们发现与健康马匹相比，患病马匹中MBL:MASP活性水平较低。这些结果表明eMBL参与马的免疫反应，并且低MBL:MASP活性可用于监测免疫功能和临床结果。
