Lectin pathway
Lectin Pathway
The Lectin Pathway (pronunciation: LEK-tin PATH-way) is a critical component of the innate immune system. It is one of the three pathways that lead to the activation of the complement system, a crucial part of the body's immune response.
Etymology
The term "lectin" is derived from the Latin word legere, which means "to select". This refers to the ability of lectins to selectively bind to specific carbohydrate structures. The term "pathway" is used in the context of biological processes to describe a series of actions among molecules in a cell that leads to a certain product or a change in the cell.
Function
The Lectin Pathway is initiated when mannose-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins, proteins present in the blood plasma, bind to certain carbohydrate patterns found on the surface of pathogens. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions that lead to the activation of the complement system, enhancing the body's ability to fight off infections.
Related Terms
- Innate Immune System: The body's first line of defense against infections, which includes physical barriers like the skin and various immune cells and proteins, including the complement system.
- Complement System: A part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism, promote inflammation, and attack the pathogen's cell membrane.
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL): A protein that plays a crucial role in the lectin pathway by recognizing and binding to certain carbohydrates on the surface of pathogens.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lectin pathway
- Wikipedia's article - Lectin pathway
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