title: Mannose-binding lectin concentrations, MBL2 polymorphisms, and susceptibility to respiratory tract infections in young men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important component of innate immunity, and its deficiency is associated with susceptibility to recurrent infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  This exploratory study investigated the association of serum MBL concentrations and MBL2 gene polymorphisms with respiratory tract infections in young men. We genotyped 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region (alleles H/L, X/Y, and P/Q) and exon 1 (variant alleles B, C, and D and wild-type allele A) of the MBL2 gene by real-time polymerase chain reaction and measured serum MBL concentrations in 111 Finnish military recruits with asthma and 362 without.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An MBL level below the median concentration was a significant risk factor for infections (asthma status-adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.5 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.4-4.5]). Among the 6 SNPs, there was a significant association between the promoter Y/Y genotype and infections (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.2-4.4]) and a borderline significant association between exon 1 variant alleles and infections (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 0.9-3.1]), after adjustment for asthma status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results suggest, for the first time, an association between MBL level and respiratory tract infections in young men and a possible association between infections and MBL2 polymorphisms.
authors: National Public Health Institute, Oulu, Finland. aino.rantala@ktl.fi
authors: Aino
authors: A
authors: Rantala
authors: Taina
authors: T
authors: Lajunen
authors: Raija
authors: R
authors: Juvonen
authors: Aini
authors: A
authors: Bloigu
authors: Sylvi
authors: S
authors: Silvennoinen-Kassinen
authors: Ari
authors: A
authors: Peitso
authors: Pekka
authors: P
authors: Saikku
authors: Olli
authors: O
authors: Vainio
authors: Maija
authors: M
authors: Leinonen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005387:Finland; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008889:Military Personnel; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C445619:MBL2 protein, human; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin