Adding < i > MASP1 < /i > to the lectin pathway —Leprosy association puzzle: Hints from gene polymorphisms and protein levels
by Hellen Weinschutz Mendes, Angelica Winter Boldt, Ewalda Stahlke, Jens Christian Jensenius, Steffen Thiel, Iara J. Taborda Messias-Reason
BackgroundDeposition of complement factors onMycobacterium leprae may enhance phagocytosis. Such deposition may occur through the lectin pathway of complement. Three proteins of the lectin pathway are produced from the geneMASP1: Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 1 (MASP-1) and MASP-3 and mannan-binding lectin-associated protein of 44 kDa (MAp44). Despite their obvious importance, the roles played by these proteins have never been investigated in leprosy disease. MethodologyWe haplotyped fiveMASP1 polymorphisms by multiplex sequence-specific PCR (intronicrs7609662*G>A andrs13064994*C>T, exon 12 3 ’-untranslatedrs72549262*C>G,rs1109452*C>T andrs850314*G>A) and measured MASP-1, MASP-3 and MAp44 serum levels in 196 leprosy patients (60%, lepromatous) and 193 controls. Principal findingsLower MASP-3 and MAp44 levels were observed in patients, compared with controls (P = 0.0002 and P
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Hellen Weinschutz Mendes Source Type: research