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Functional estimation of mannose binding lectin associated serine protease (MBL-MASPs) in human serum
Reprint requests: Dr Krishana C. Gulla, Associate Scientific Manager, Research & Development, BIOCON Limited 20th K. M. Hosur Road, Electronic City, Bangalore 560 100, India e-mail: gullakc@yahoo.co.in, Krishana.Gulla@biocon.com
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Received: ,
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.
