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The mannan-binding lectin pathway of complement activation: biology and disease association
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Abstract
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein found in association with several
serine proteases (MASPs) forming the MBL complex. MBL recognises carbohydrate structures
arranged in a particular geometry, such as those found on the surface of micro-organisms.
When bound to e.g. bacteria the MBL complex will initiate the activation of the complement
cascade. Mounting evidence supports the importance of the MBL pathway of complement
activation in innate immunity. In this review, we focus on the structure and function
of the proteins within the MBL pathway and address the properties of the pathway as
an initiator of the host response against potential pathogenic micro-organisms.