Mannose-binding lectin serum levels and (Gly54asp) gene polymorphism in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A case-control study.

Objectives

Dysregulation of the immune response appears to play a significant role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) development. The main objective of this case-control study is to investigate the blood levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the frequency of the MBL2 gene (gly54asp) polymorphism in RAS patients, including 40 RAS patients and 40 healthy controls.

Methods

Serum MBL levels were determined by ELISA, while the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used in MBL2 genotyping.

Results

The median serum MBL level was significantly lower in the RAS group than in the control group (975 ng/mL (545-1320) vs. 1760 ng/mL (1254-2134); p≤ 0.001). The MBL levels were significantly lower in the BB genotype, whereas they were significantly higher in the wild type AA with a median of 525 and 1340 ng/mL, respectively (p =0.005). The B allele was expressed in significantly higher percentages of RAS patients than in controls. There was no significant association between MBL serum levels (p=0.685) or MBL2 codon 54 genotypes (p=0.382) with the type of ulcers.

Conclusion

There was an association between low MBL serum levels and the variant allele B of the MBL2 (gly54asp) gene, and the susceptibility to RAS. As a result, potential novel therapeutic options for RAS patients with MBL deficiency should be investigated.