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The lectin-complement pathway--its role in innate immunity and evolution.

Teizo Fujita1, Misao Matsushita, Yuichi Endo

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan. tfujita@fmu.ac.jp

Immunological Reviews
|June 18, 2004
PubMed
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Innate immunity shows specificity through pattern recognition receptors like mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolin. These lectins activate the complement system, crucial for defense before acquired immunity evolved.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Innate immunity was historically viewed as non-specific, but it possesses significant specificity.
  • Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), crucial for defense in vertebrates and invertebrates.
  • Lectins, such as mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolin, are key PRRs in innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular evolution of lectins and MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs).
  • To understand the role of lectin-based complement pathways in innate immunity across different species.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of the complement system preceding acquired immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of lectins homologous to MBLs and ficolins, and MASPs from invertebrates and lower vertebrates.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of lectin domains (CRD for MBL, fibrinogen-like for ficolin) and collagenous regions.
  • Comparative molecular evolution studies.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified homologous lectins and MASPs in invertebrates and lower vertebrates.
    • Demonstrated that MBL and ficolin utilize distinct lectin domains for pathogen recognition.
    • Highlighted the presence of a similar lectin-based complement system in ascidians.

    Conclusions:

    • The complement system, activated by lectins like MBL and ficolin, plays a pivotal role in innate immunity.
    • Lectin-complement pathways are conserved across a wide range of species, indicating ancient evolutionary origins.
    • The complement system was likely essential for innate immunity prior to the development of acquired immunity in jawed vertebrates.