[Cardiovascular diseases and mannose-binding lectin]

The role of innate immunity factors in the pathogens of ACS is not well studied, although there is evidence in the literature about their impact on the course of cardiovascular diseases. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL)--one of the key factors of the humoral innate immune system that activates one of complement activation pathways. The literature suggests an ambiguous, complex role of MBL, which can in different clinical situations either improve the prognosis of patients, or be a risk factor for complications. MBL could potentially be relevant to all main links in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction: inflammation, thrombosis, apoptosis, and so on. At different stages of atherogenesis, including the formation and destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque, thrombosis, MBL may have a significant impact. The review analyzes currently available literature on the impact of MBL on atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, in the review there is data on the role of MBL in physiological reactions in innate immunity, gene structure of MBL2 and possible mutations leading to deficiency of MBL in blood, and the role of MBL in the pathogenesis of various diseases.