L‐ficolin in children with recurrent respiratory infections

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology Vol. 138; no. 3; pp. 517 - 520
• Main Authors: ATKINSON, A. P. M., CEDZYNSKI, M., SZEMRAJ, J., ST. SWIERZKO, A., BAK‐ROMANISZYN, L., BANASIK, M., ZEMAN, K., MATSUSHITA, M., TURNER, M. L., KILPATRICK, D. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.12.2004; Blackwell; Oxford University Press; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; allergy; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Studies; Ficolins; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunity, Innate - immunology; Immunopathology; Infant; innate immunity; Lectins - blood; Lectins - immunology; L‐ficolin; mannan‐binding lectin (MBL); Mannose-Binding Lectin - blood; Mannose-Binding Lectin - immunology; Medical sciences; Recurrence; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - blood; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - complications; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - immunology; respiratory infections; Respiratory Tract Infections - blood; Respiratory Tract Infections - complications; Respiratory Tract Infections - immunology; Human; Allergy; Immunopathology; Relapse; Immunology; Respiratory disease; Mannose binding lectin; Natural immunity; Ficolin; allergy innate immunity L-ficolin mannan-binding lectin (MBL) respiratory infections; Respiratory system infection; Child
• ISSN: 0009-9104; 1365-2249
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02634.x

SUMMARY The lectin pathway of complement activation is used by a collectin, mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), and two ficolins, L‐ficolin and H‐ficolin, to opsonize microorganisms for phagocytosis. We published evidence recently that MBL insufficiency is associated with recurrent respiratory infections in childhood. We have now measured serum L‐ficolin in 313 respiratory infection patients and 74 healthy control children. L‐ficolin concentrations below the lower limit of the control group were found in 6% of the patients (P < 0·02) and were associated most strongly with children having co‐existing atopic disorders (11%; P = 0·002). We suggest that L‐ficolin may have a role in protection from microorganisms complicating allergic disease.