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The Lectin Pathway of the Complement System-Activation, Regulation, Disease Connections and Interplay with Other
József Dobó1, Andrea Kocsis1, Bence Farkas1
1Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 10, 2024
Summary
The lectin pathway (LP) is a key part of the complement system, involved in immunity and disease. This review covers its components, activation, regulation, and diverse roles beyond complement, including in development and coagulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The complement system is a critical proteolytic cascade in vertebrate blood, alongside coagulation-fibrinolysis.
- The lectin pathway (LP), a recently discovered complement activation route, is crucial for innate immunity.
- Pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) like MBL initiate LP activation by binding to microbial patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of the lectin pathway (LP) of complement.
- To detail the history, components, activation, and regulation of the LP.
- To explore the non-canonical functions and disease associations of LP components.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on the complement system and LP.
- Analysis of the roles of Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases (MASPs) and other LP components.
- Examination of the connections between LP function, blood coagulation, and cellular effects.
Main Results:
- The LP involves PRMs (MBL, collectins, ficolins) and effector proteases (MASPs).
- MASP-1 and MASP-2 activate the LP, while MASP-3 influences the alternative pathway.
- LP components exhibit "moonlighting" functions in development, coagulation, and potentially tumor suppression.
Conclusions:
- The lectin pathway plays a significant role in innate immunity and disease pathogenesis, including stroke, kidney diseases, and COVID-19.
- Understanding LP's diverse functions, including its links to coagulation and cellular effects, is crucial for therapeutic development.
- Further research into LP's non-canonical roles offers potential for novel treatment strategies.
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