Open AccessCollectins, collectin receptors and the lectin pathway of complement activation
Author(s) -
MALHOTRA R.,
LU J.,
HOLMSKOV U.,
SIM R.B.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1994.tb06254.x
Subject(s) - collectin , opsonin , complement system , lectin , innate immune system , complement receptor , receptor , immunology , biology , lectin pathway , alternative complement pathway , c type lectin , complement (music) , decay accelerating factor , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , biochemistry , phenotype , complementation , gene
Summary The collectins are a group of soluble multimeric lectins, which contain collagenous segments, and resemble the complement protein Clq in aspects of their structures and functions. This group of proteins, which includes MBP, SP‐A, SP‐D, conglutinin and CL‐43, are known to act as opsonins in various circumstances, and are likely to have roles in innate immunity. The focus of current research is to pursue the hypothesis that the collectins recognize and bind to non‐host carbohydrate structures on microorganisms and particles, and participate in the Les Diahlerets, Switzerland, 9–12 September 1994 5 processing or elimination of such material, either by direct interaction with phagocytic cell receptors, or by indirect routes such as complement activation.