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Using Eggs from Schistosoma mansoni as an In vivo Model of Helminth-induced Lung Inflammation
Published on: June 5, 2012
Mannose-binding lectin and susceptibility to schistosomiasis
Justin S Antony1, Olusola Ojurongbe, Hoang van Tong
1Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|March 2, 2013
Summary
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum levels and specific MBL2 gene variants are associated with protection against schistosomiasis. MBL deficiency may increase susceptibility to this parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human ficolin 2 (FCN2) and mannose-binding lectin (MBL2) activate the complement lectin cascade and are linked to infectious diseases.
- Previous research identified FCN2 promoter variants and ficolin-2 levels as protective against schistosomiasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MBL deficiency, MBL2 polymorphisms, and schistosomiasis in a Nigerian cohort.
- To build upon prior findings regarding lectin pathway components and schistosomiasis susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a Nigerian cohort comprising 163 Schistosoma haematobium-infected individuals and 183 healthy controls.
- Genotyping of MBL2 polymorphisms and measurement of serum MBL levels.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher MBL serum levels in healthy controls, indicating a protective role (P < .0001).
- The MBL2 -550H allele and -550HL genotypes were associated with protection (P = .03).
- The MBL2*HYPA haplotype showed a protective association (P = .03), with higher MBL levels in controls (P = .00073).
- A heterozygous 6-bp deletion in the MBL2 promoter was identified as a susceptibility factor (P = .03).
Conclusions:
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is associated with protection against schistosomiasis.
- MBL2 polymorphisms and serum levels play a role in the host's immune response to Schistosoma haematobium infection.
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