Functional estimation of mannose binding lectin associated serine protease (MBL-MASPs) in human serum.
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Date
2009-10
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Abstract
Background & objectives: Mannose binding lectin (MBL), a C-type or Ca2+ dependent lectin, plays a
major role in lectin pathway of complement activation. MBL deficiency/insufficiency is associated with
susceptibility to many infections. It is important to know the association of functional lectin levels with
disease condition. Therefore, we carried out this study to develop a simple assay to estimate the functional
MBL-associated serine proteases (MBL-MASPs) levels in human serum samples.
Methods: A novel method was developed based on direct haemolysis of mannan coated human erythrocytes
in autologous human serum for functional estimation of MBL and associated serine proteases (MBLMASPs
complex). Functional MBL-MASPs serum levels in 75 healthy individuals was estimated. Results
were compared with those obtained by ELISA based assay.
Results: Lysis of mannan coated human RBC in autologous serum was highly specific and mediated by
MBL-MASPs lectin complement pathway. Concentration of MBL-MASPs in serum of normal healthy
individuals (n=75) was found to be 1.579 μg/ml (median= 1.149 μg/ml) by the haemolytic assay which
was comparable to the values obtained by ELISA method.
Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that the method developed for the estimation of functional MBL-MASPs levels in human serum is simple, cost-effective and comparable with existing ELISA method.
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Keywords
Complement, erythrocytes, haemolytic assay, mannose binding lectin, MBL-MASPs
Citation
Gulla Krishana Chaitanya, Gupta Kshitij, Hajela Krishnan. Functional estimation of mannose binding lectin associated serine protease (MBL-MASPs) in human serum. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2009 Oct; 130(4): 428-432.