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Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
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Mannose-binding lectin deficiency and respiratory tract infection
1Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia. damon.eisen@mh.org.au
Journal of Innate Immunity
|April 9, 2010
Summary
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency, common in humans, increases susceptibility to severe respiratory infections like pneumococcal disease. MBL replacement therapy may benefit MBL-deficient patients with pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key innate immune protein recognizing and eliminating pathogens via complement activation.
- MBL deficiency, caused by MBL2 gene polymorphisms, affects a significant portion of the human population, potentially increasing infection risk.
- MBL's role in respiratory immunity is crucial, though its binding to pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae can be hindered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical associations between MBL deficiency and susceptibility to respiratory tract infections.
- To explore the potential of MBL as an immunotherapeutic agent for infection prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical studies and meta-analyses.
- Analysis of MBL's interaction with respiratory pathogens and its role in complement activation.
- Examination of MBL deficiency prevalence and its genetic basis (MBL2 polymorphisms).
Main Results:
- MBL deficiency is linked to severe respiratory tract infections, including pneumococcal disease, and increased mortality.
- Studies suggest MBL deficiency may predispose individuals to various respiratory infections.
- Ficolins, related to MBL, show limited associations with respiratory infections despite FCN2 polymorphisms.
Conclusions:
- MBL deficiency significantly increases susceptibility to respiratory infections, particularly severe pneumococcal infections.
- MBL plays a role in pulmonary immunity, potentially by preventing pathogen dissemination and enhancing mucosal defenses.
- MBL-based immunotherapy holds promise for preventing infections in immunocompromised individuals and treating severe pneumonia in MBL-deficient patients.
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