title: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have higher levels of mannan-binding lectin than their first-degree relatives and unrelated controls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is present in serum and synovial fluid; its levels vary widely, and the variations are strongly associated with polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene. Studies have compared MBL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in unrelated controls, but the findings have been contradictory. In the first family-based study, we compared MBL levels in patients with RA to population controls and also to their nonaffected first-degree relatives, who may be regarded as optimal controls because of less genetic variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of MBL and rheumatoid factor were analyzed in 210 patients with RA and 406 of their first-degree relatives from 74 extended families. Population controls for MBL levels were 330 randomly selected adult Icelanders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with RA had higher MBL levels in serum (median 1553 microg/l) than their first-degree relatives (1073 microg/l; p = 0.003) and the unrelated controls (938 microg/l; p < 0.0001). No association was found between MBL and rheumatoid factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with RA had markedly higher MBL levels than their close relatives and controls, indicating that high MBL may predispose to RA. As MBL has been shown to bind potential arthritogenic agents including modified immunoglobulins, cellular debris, and microorganisms, our findings suggest that high MBL could trigger complement mediated inflammation within joints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Center for Rheumatology Research, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland. saedis.saevarsdottir@karolinska.se
authors.forename: Saedis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saevarsdottir
authors.forename: Kristjan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinsson
authors.forename: Gerdur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grondal
authors.forename: Helgi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Valdimarsson
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor