title: Recombinant mannan-binding lectin (MBL) for therapy.
abstract: Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein involved in the innate immune response. It binds to a number of micro-organisms and promotes killing of these through complement activation either directly or through opsonization. Clinical evidence indicates that in a variety of situations genetically determined low MBL levels are associated with increased susceptibility to infections. Infusions of plasma-derived MBL into MBL-deficient individuals was found to be safe in preliminary trials, but we considered that sufficient production and product safety could only be achieved through synthesis of recombinant MBL. A transfected human cell line produces MBL showing the same biological activity as plasma-derived MBL, and an essentially identical profile on MS. The production has been scaled up and clinical trials will start this year.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Aarhus, Denmark. j.c.jensenius@immunology.au.dk
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jensenius
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thiel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003181:Complement C4; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases