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Endothelial response to childhood infection: the role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)

Marietta Charakida1, Ann E Donald, Sam Leary

  • 1Vascular Physiology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 34 Great Ormond Street, London, UK. charakidadoc@hotmail.com

Atherosclerosis
|August 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) genotype influences endothelial function during childhood infections. Homozygosity for MBL variant alleles significantly impairs flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in infected children, suggesting early-life gene-environment interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Immunogenetics
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a crucial role in innate immunity.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of cardiovascular disease.
  • Childhood infections can impact vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) genotype and endothelial function.
  • To determine if MBL genotype modifies endothelial function during childhood infections.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 2176 children aged 10 years was studied.
  • Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
  • MBL gene polymorphisms (Exon 1 and promoter) were analyzed, classifying children into AA, AO, and OO genotypes.

Main Results:

  • Infection was associated with a 10% reduction in FMD.
  • MBL genotype did not affect FMD in healthy children.
  • Children with MBL genotype OO showed a significant 26.6% reduction in FMD during infection (p<0.05), with multivariate analysis confirming this association (OR 2.95, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Homozygosity for MBL variant alleles is linked to greater endothelial dysfunction during childhood infections.
  • This highlights a potential gene-environment interaction in early life.
  • Findings may have implications for atherosclerosis development and progression.
Abstract

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