title: Mannan-binding lectin in asthma and allergy.
abstract: Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a vital and versatile component of innate immunity. It is present in serum and may bind to a plethora of microbial pathogens and mediate opsonization of these by complement-dependent and/or independent mechanisms. Low-MBL levels in serum, attributed to certain genetic polymorphisms, constitute a major factor predisposing to several infectious diseases. However, recent studies propose that MBL extends beyond its classic role as a first-line host-defense molecule to a modulator of inflammation. In this review, we summarize and explore this potential and a possible novel role of MBL in asthma and allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Diagnostics, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi-100 007, India.
authors.forename: Savneet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: P Usha
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: Taruna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Madan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000276:immunology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin