Mannose binding lectin mediated complement pathway in multiple sclerosis.

Role of mannose binding lectin (MBL) complement activation pathway, an arm of innate immunity in multiple sclerosis (MS) was evaluated by analyzing the expression of MBL, MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), and functional MBL/MASP-2 mediated C4 cleavage (fMBL) in 87 plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from MS patients and non-MS controls. Median fMBL and MASP-2 plasma levels were higher in MS vs. non-MS cases. These associations remained in an analysis of subtypes of MS disease. These findings suggest a potential activation of MBL complement pathway in MS that may possibly alter the risk or progression of MS disease. Published by Elsevier B.V.