Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
Published on: January 9, 2013
Mannose binding lectin plays a crucial role in innate immunity against yeast by enhanced complement activation and
Eveline C van Asbeck1, Andy I M Hoepelman, Jelle Scharringa
1Eijkman-Winkler Institute for Medical & Clinical Microbiology, Utrecht University Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands. E.C.vanAsbeck@umcutrecht.nl
Background:
Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is an important host defence protein against opportunistic fungal pathogens. This carbohydrate-binding protein, an opsonin and lectin pathway activator, binds through multiple lectin domains to the repeating sugar arrays displayed on the surface of a wide range of clinically relevant microbial species. We investigated the contribution of MBL to antifungal innate immunity towards C. parapsilosis in vitro.
Results:
High avidity binding was observed between MBL and C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Addition of MBL to MBL deficient serum increased the deposition of C4 and C3b and enhanced the uptake of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and acapsular C. neoformans by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Compared to other microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Cryptococcus neoformans, C. parapsilosis and Candida albicans were potent activators of the lectin pathway.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that MBL plays a crucial role in the innate immunity against infections caused by yeast by increasing uptake by PMN.
Related Concept Videos
Yeast Signaling
Complement System
Selectins
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

