Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-12-10
pubmed:abstractText
Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is an acute phase reactant, and its deficiency is associated with the common opsonic defect and suspectibility to infections and atopic constitution. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes occurring in the serum level of MBP in infancy and during later childhood. We studied the serum concentration of MBP in 611 Finnish children of different ages and 110 adults by using an enzyme immunoassay. In an analysis of successive serum samples from infants at the day of birth and at the ages of 1 and 5 months, and at 1 and 2 years, the serum concentration of MBP increased significantly after birth, and was at its highest (the mean and median were 8.13 and 8.49 mgl-1, respectively) at the age of 1 month. After that, it declined to the initial level until the age of 5 months. The MBP concentration continued to decrease during childhood, and after the age of 12 years the MBP values reached the adult level. In Finnish adults the mean and median concentrations of MBP were 4.48 and 4.02 mgl-1, respectively, which seem to be higher than those reported previously in other populations. The high concentration of MBP in infants may best be explained by exposure to novel environmental antigens in early childhood, which suggests a protective role for MBP during the period of immaturity of the immunosystem. In older children the high level of MBP can probably be explained by childhood infections and the ensuing need of MBP.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0803-5253
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
85
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
906-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Age-dependent variation in the serum concentration of mannan-binding protein.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't