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- Title
Evolution of the lectin-complement pathway and its role in innate immunity.
- Authors
Fujita, Teizo
- Abstract
Discrimination between self and non-self by lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins) is a strategy of innate immunity that is found in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In vertebrates, immune recognition mediated by ficolins (lectins that consist of a fibrinogen-like and a collagen-like domain), as well as by mannose-binding lectins, triggers the activation of the complement system, which results in the activation of novel serine proteases. The presence of a similar lectin-based complement system in ascidians, our closest invertebrate relatives, indicates that the complement system probably had a pivotal role in innate immunity before the evolution of an adaptive immune system in jawed vertebrates.
- Publication
Nature reviews. Immunology, 2002, Vol 2, Issue 5, p346
- ISSN
1474-1733
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/nri800