Mannan binding lectin (MBL), initially known to activate the complement lectin pathway and defend against infection, was recently shown to be potentially involved in the development of several types of cancer; however, its exact role in cancers, especially its effect on tumor microenvironment remain largely unknown.
A mannose binding lectin from bulbils of D. bulbifera was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography on mucin coupled Sepharose 4B column, determined by its fine sugar specificity by glycan array analysis and studied for its clinical potential in cancer and HIV research.
We systematically searched and reviewed all the literature on MBL and infections in children with cancer, identified from a literature search of Medline, Embase, and Central (1966-April 2010).
In a cohort of children with cancer, we investigated (i) how to determine MBL deficiency and (ii) whether MBL is a prognostic factor for disease severity.