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Age-dependent variation in the serum concentration of mannan-binding protein
J Aittoniemi1, A Miettinen, P Laippala
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Insights
Mannan-binding protein (MBP) levels are high in newborns, peaking at 1 month, then declining to adult levels by age 12. This suggests MBP plays a key role in infant immunity and infection defense.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is an acute phase reactant.
- MBP deficiency is linked to opsonic defects, increased infection susceptibility, and atopic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum MBP concentration changes in infancy and childhood.
- To establish reference ranges for MBP levels across different pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay used to measure serum MBP concentrations.
- Study included 611 Finnish children and 110 adults.
- Longitudinal analysis of infant serum samples from birth to 2 years.
Main Results:
- MBP levels significantly increased after birth, peaking at 1 month (mean 8.13 mg/L).
- MBP concentrations decreased to adult levels by age 12.
- Finnish adult MBP levels were higher than previously reported.
Conclusions:
- Elevated infant MBP may protect the immature immune system against environmental antigens.
- High MBP levels in older children likely reflect responses to infections.
- MBP concentration dynamics are crucial for understanding immune system development and function.
Abstract:
Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is an acute phase reactant, and its deficiency is associated with the common opsonic defect and suspectibility to infections and atopic constitution. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes occurring in the serum level of MBP in infancy and during later childhood. We studied the serum concentration of MBP in 611 Finnish children of different ages and 110 adults by using an enzyme immunoassay. In an analysis of successive serum samples from infants at the day of birth and at the ages of 1 and 5 months, and at 1 and 2 years, the serum concentration of MBP increased significantly after birth, and was at its highest (the mean and median were 8.13 and 8.49 mgl-1, respectively) at the age of 1 month. After that, it declined to the initial level until the age of 5 months. The MBP concentration continued to decrease during childhood, and after the age of 12 years the MBP values reached the adult level. In Finnish adults the mean and median concentrations of MBP were 4.48 and 4.02 mgl-1, respectively, which seem to be higher than those reported previously in other populations. The high concentration of MBP in infants may best be explained by exposure to novel environmental antigens in early childhood, which suggests a protective role for MBP during the period of immaturity of the immunosystem. In older children the high level of MBP can probably be explained by childhood infections and the ensuing need of MBP.