The lectin pathway of complement activation contributes to protection from West Nile virus infection.
The function of the lectin pathway of complement activation in vivo against West Nile virus (WNV) or many other pathogenic viruses has not been defined. Mice deficient in lectin pathway recognition molecules (mannose binding lectin-A (MBL-A) and mannose binding lectin-C (MBL-C)) or the effector enzyme mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), were more vulnerable to WNV infection than wild type mice. Compared with studies of mice deficient in factors of the classical or alternative pathway, MBL-A(-/-) × MBL-C(-/-) or MASP-2(-/-) mice showed a less severe course of WNV infection. Indeed, a deficiency in lectin pathway activation did not significantly affect the kinetics of viral spread to the central nervous system (CNS) nor did it profoundly alter generation of adaptive B and T cell immune responses. We conclude that MBL-mediated recognition and lectin pathway activation have important yet subordinate functions in protecting against WNV infection and disease.
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Anja
A
Fuchs
Amelia K
AK
Pinto
Wilhelm J
WJ
Schwaeble
Michael S
MS
Diamond
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000821:virology; D003167:Complement Activation; D037582:Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000276:immunology*; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000172:deficiency; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / Q000172:deficiency; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000276:immunology*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology*
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; C445639:Mbl2 protein, mouse; C069858:mannose binding protein A; C491340:MASP-2 protein, mouse; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases