Mannose-Binding Lectin Contributes to Deleterious Inflammatory Response in Pandemic H1N1 and Avian H9N2 Infection

Man To Ling, Wenwei Tu, Yan Han, Huawei Mao, Wai Po Chong, Jing Guan, Ming Liu, Kwok Tai Lam, Helen K.W. Law, J. S. Malik Peiris, K. Takahashi, Yu Lung Lau*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a pattern-recognition molecule, which functions as a first line of host defense. Pandemic H1N1 (pdmH1N1) influenza A virus caused massive infection in 2009 and currently circulates worldwide. Avian influenza A H9N2 (H9N2/G1) virus has infected humans and has the potential to be the next pandemic virus. Antiviral function and immunomodulatory role of MBL in pdmH1N1 and H9N2/G1 virus infection have not been investigated.

Methods: In this study, MBL wild-type (WT) and MBL knockout (KO) murine models were used to examine the role of MBL in pdmH1N1 and H9N2/G1 virus infection.

Results: Our study demonstrated that in vitro, MBL binds to pdmH1N1 and H9N2/G1 viruses, likely via the carbohydrate recognition domain of MBL. Wild-type mice developed more severe disease, as evidenced by a greater weight loss than MBL KO mice during influenza virus infection. Furthermore, MBL WT mice had enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines compared with MBL KO mice, suggesting that MBL could upregulate inflammatory responses that may potentially worsen pdmH1N1 and H9N2/G1 virus infections.

Conclusions: Our study provided the first in vivo evidence that MBL may be a risk factor during pdmH1N1 and H9N2/G1 infection by upregulating proinflammatory response.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-53
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume205
Issue number1
Early online date11 Nov 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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