Mannose-binding lectin and mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 genotypes and serum levels in patients with sporotrichosis

Abstract

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) are important proteins in the lectin pathway of the immune system. Mannose-binding lectin and MASP-2 deficiencies have been reported to be responsible for various fungal infections. We investigated the association of MBL and MASP-2 variants with sporotrichosis in aChinese population and revealed one rare heterozygous mutation inadisseminated cutaneous patient without immunosuppressive conditions (MASP2, p.156-159dupCHNH). We also found that sporotrichosis patients had decreased levels of MBL and MASP-2 in their serum samples compared with controls. Our findings linked, for the first time, MASP-2 deficiencies with susceptibility to Sporothrix sp.