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Dietary sugars inhibit biologic functions of the pattern recognition molecule, mannose-binding lectin

Kazue Takahashi1, Wei-Chuan Chang1, Patience Moyo1

  • 1Program of Developmental Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Open Journal of Immunology
|April 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Dietary fructose suppresses mannose-binding lectin (MBL) immune functions against influenza A virus and Staphylococcus aureus. This sugar negatively impacts innate immunity, affecting pathogen defense mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key pattern recognition molecule in the innate immune system.
  • MBL recognizes carbohydrate structures on pathogens, initiating immune responses.
  • Understanding how dietary factors influence MBL function is crucial for immune health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of dietary sugars, specifically fructose and sucrose, on MBL-mediated innate immunity.
  • To determine the impact of fructose and sucrose on MBL's interaction with influenza A virus (IAV) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Main Methods:

  • Assessed MBL-mediated lectin complement pathway activation against IAV and S. aureus.
  • Evaluated MBL-mediated coagulation enzyme-like activities on pathogens.
  • Measured MBL-mediated phagocytosis of S. aureus and IAV.
  • Quantified MBL-mediated IAV infection of epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • Fructose significantly down-regulates MBL-mediated immune mechanisms against both IAV and S. aureus.
  • Fructose reduces MBL-mediated phagocytosis of S. aureus and IAV, and MBL-dependent IAV infection.
  • Sucrose inhibits MBL-mediated immunity against S. aureus but not IAV.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary sugars, particularly fructose, negatively regulate innate immunity.
  • Fructose impairs MBL's defense capabilities against both viral and bacterial pathogens.
  • These findings highlight the potential impact of diet on susceptibility to infections.
Keywords:
CoagulationComplementFructoseInfluenza A VirusMannose-Binding LectinStaphylococcus Aureus

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