title: Circulating levels of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease 2 in endemic pemphigus foliaceus.
abstract: Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) is an autoimmune disease, which occurs in Brazil and other regions of South America. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease (MASP-2) play a key role in innate immunity, and its deficiency has been related to increased susceptibility to infection and autoimmune diseases. MBL and MASP-2 serum levels were measured in 114 patients with EPF and in 100 healthy individuals in Brazil. MBL and MASP-2 levels were measured by sandwich assays (time-resolved immunofluorimetic assay) using monoclonal antibodies. No difference was observed in the MBL level in patients with EPF compared with controls [mean +/- SEM 1230.07 +/- 132.18 ng/mL (median 789.0 ng/mL) vs. 1036.98 +/- 117.99 ng/mL (median 559.5 ng/mL), P = 0.32]. Non-significant lower MASP-2 levels were observed in EPF [274.34 +/- 15.66 ng/mL (median 239.5 ng/mL ) vs. 304.72 +/- 15.28 ng/mL [median 261.0 ng/mL ), P = 0.06]. MBL deficiency (< 10 ng/mL) or MASP-2 deficiency (< 100 ng/mL) did not differ significantly between patients and controls. These data indicate that MBL and MASP-2 deficiency are not associated with susceptibility to EPF.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas, UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil. iaramessias@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Messias-Reason
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nisihara
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Petzl-Erler
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jensenius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; C105296:MASP2 protein, human; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases