title: Diverse lectin repertoires in tunicates mediate broad recognition and effector innate immune responses.
abstract: It is widely recognized that humoral and phagocyte-associated lectins constitute critical components of innate immunity in vertebrates and invertebrates. Their functions include not only self/non-self recognition but also engaging associated effector mechanisms, such as complement-mediated opsonization and killing of potential pathogens. One of the unresolved questions concerns the diversity in recognition capacity of the lectin repertoire, particularly in those organisms lacking adaptive immunity. In this paper, we discuss evidence suggesting that lectin repertoire in invertebrates and protochordates is highly diversified, and includes most of the lectin classes described so far in vertebrate species, as well as associated effector pathways.
authors.affiliation: Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 701 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Quesenberry
authors.forename: Hafiz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Elola
authors.forename: Nuala
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: Gerardo R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Vasta