Functional haplotypes that produce normal ficolin-2 levels protect against clinical leprosy

J Infect Dis. 2009 Mar 15;199(6):801-4. doi: 10.1086/597070.

Abstract

Host factors have been shown to play a significant role in the susceptibility to and clinical outcome of leprosy. Here, we analyze polymorphisms of the gene encoding ficolin-2 (FCN2), which is a soluble pattern-recognition molecule. A total of 158 patients with leprosy and 210 healthy control subjects from Brazil were investigated. Polymorphisms in the promoter and exon 8 of FCN2 were assessed by DNA sequencing. The distribution of functional FCN2 haplotypes amongpatients was significant different from that among the control subjects (P = .004). These results unveil an immunogenetic role for ficolin-2 in the host response against M. leprae.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA Primers
  • Exons
  • Ficolins
  • Genes, Dominant
  • Genes, Recessive
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Lectins / genetics*
  • Lectins / immunology
  • Leprosy / genetics*
  • Leprosy / immunology
  • Leprosy / prevention & control
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Lectins