Mannose-binding lectin and maladies of the bowel and liver

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the four exons of the MBL2 gene, with the important polymorphisms identified. The peptides self associates into a homotrimer (structural subunit). Each peptide contains a lectin domain (green) to bind the specific, microbial carbohydrate motifs. Functional MBL circulates in higher-order multimers.

Figure 2 Distribution of plasma MBL levels within a normal population, stratified by MBL2 genotype (Figure reproduced from Worthley et al[82] with permission). The O/O genotype is associated with the most extreme deficit in circulating MBL level (shown) and activity.

Figure 3 The lectin and classical complement pathways (Figure reproduced from Worthley et al[82] with permission).