title: Mannose binding lectin gene polymorphism and the severity of chronic periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a key molecule in first line defense against various microorganisms. Polymorphism of the MBL gene greatly affects serum MBL concentration, and is known to be associated with occurrence of infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between occurrence or severity of chronic periodontitis (CP) and polymorphism of the MBL gene.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight CP patients and 63 healthy subjects with no periodontitis were typed for the codon 54 polymorphism of the MBL gene by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genotype frequencies of the codon 54 polymorphism were similar between patients and control subjects. When patients were categorized to mild, moderate and severe periodontitis groups, possession of the low serum MBL concentration allele was a risk factor for having severe CP, as assessed by logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with MBL genotypes that cause lower serum MBL concentration may be at risk of having severe periodontitis. MBL gene typing may become useful to predict the prognosis of CP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Advanced Biomedical Applications, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba.
authors.forename: Akito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshie
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002908:Chronic Disease; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin