Comparative Analysis of Serum Mannose-Binding Lectin in Normal Population and Patients with Different Types of Cancer

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein of innate immunity. Its genetic mutations lead to deficiency of serum MBL and recurrent pyogenic infection in childhood. However, little is known about the frequency of its gene mutations or serum levels in Korean population and patients with cancers. METHODS: We studied the mutational genotypes of MBL exon 1 codon 52, 54, and 57 or serum MBL levels from 102 normal adults and 228 cases of breast, stomach, colon, uterine cervical, and lung cancers by allele-specific PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: MBL gene mutations were found in 32 of 102 normal adults (31.4%), and were restricted only to exon 1 codon 54 showing homozygous (n=5, 4.9%) or heterozygous mutations (n=27, 26.5%). Mean and median serum MBL in the patients with cancers were increased (2,647+/-1,742 and 2,915 ng/mL, mean+/-S.D. and median) than those of normal adults (1,906+/-1,359 and 1,758 ng/mL). Serum MBL level was significantly increased in the patients with stomach, uterine cervical, colon, and lung cancers. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the frequency and pattern of MBL gene mutations and its serum level is very similar among northeastern Asian populations. In addition, MBL might be involved in an immunologic response against common cancers, although further studies are needed.