Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) in a large cohort of neonates and its clinical associations.
One collectin (mannan-binding lectin, MBL) and three ficolins (M-ficolin/ficolin-1, L-ficolin/ficolin-2 and H-ficolin/ficolin-3) share the capability to activate complement via the lectin pathway. This property depends on the ability of these lectins to form complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs), particularly MASP-2. We report the results of an investigation of cord blood MASP-2 concentrations in a large, ethnically homogeneous cohort (n=1788) of neonates. The median value of MASP-2 in cord sera was determined to be 93 ng/ml (range <25-812). Serum MASP-2 concentrations correlated with gestational age and birthweight and were significantly lower in premature babies and other pre-term babies compared with term babies. Neonates with MASP-2 concentrations below 42 ng/ml were deemed to be MASP-2 deficient. That group had a shorter mean gestational age and a higher incidence of premature and low birthweight babies, but not of perinatal infections when compared with the others. Indeed, there was a trend towards higher MASP-2 concentrations amongst babies with infections. Among 362 samples tested for the D120G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the MASP2 gene, no homozygote for that mutation was found. Heterozygosity for this allele significantly influenced the protein concentration, but not the lectin pathway of complement activity (MBL-MASP-2 complex activity). Moreover, no association of this SNP was apparent with prematurity, low birthweight or perinatal infections.
St Swierzko
Anna
A
Laboratory of Immunobiology of Infections, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland. aswierzko@cbm.pan.pl
Cedzynski
Maciej
M
Domzalska-Popadiuk
Iwona
I
MacDonald
Shirley L
SL
Borkowska-Klos
Monika
M
Atkinson
Anne P M
AP
Szala
Agnieszka
A
Jopek
Aleksandra
A
Jensenius
Jens C
JC
Kawakami
Masaya
M
Szczapa
Jerzy
J
Matsushita
Misao
M
Szemraj
Janusz
J
Turner
Marc L
ML
Kilpatrick
David C
DC
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000502:physiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C105296:MASP2 protein, human; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases