Mouse ficolin B has an ability to form complexes with mannose-binding lectin-associated serine proteases and activate complement through the lectin pathway

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012:2012:105891. doi: 10.1155/2012/105891. Epub 2012 Feb 29.

Abstract

Ficolins are thought to be pathogen-associated-molecular-pattern-(PAMP-) recognition molecules that function to support innate immunity. Like mannose-binding lectins (MBLs), most mammalian ficolins form complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs), leading to complement activation via the lectin pathway. However, the ability of murine ficolin B, a homologue of human M-ficolin, to perform this function is still controversial. The results of the present study show that ficolin B in mouse bone marrow is an oligomeric protein. Ficolin B, pulled down using GlcNAc-agarose, contained very low, but detectable, amounts of MASP-2 and small MBL-associated protein (sMAP) and showed detectable C4-deposition activity on immobilized N-acetylglucosamine. These biochemical features of ficolin B were confirmed using recombinant mouse ficolin B produced in CHO cells. Taken together, these results suggest that like other mammalian homologues, murine ficolin B has an ability to exert its function via the lectin pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / chemistry
  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Marrow / chemistry
  • Complement C4 / metabolism
  • Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin / physiology*
  • Ficolins
  • Humans
  • Lectins / chemistry
  • Lectins / isolation & purification
  • Lectins / metabolism*
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / chemistry
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Complement C4
  • Lectins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • MASP-2 protein, mouse
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases
  • Acetylglucosamine