Low MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) levels correlate with urogenital schistosomiasis in Nigerian children.

OBJECTIVES

The human mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolins (FCN) are involved in pathogen recognition in the first line of defence. They support activation of the complement lectin cascade in the presence of MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2), a protein that cleaves the C4 and C2 complement components. Recent studies found that distinct MBL2 and FCN2 promoter variants and their corresponding serum levels are associated with relative protection from urogenital schistosomiasis.

METHODS

We investigated the contribution of MASP-2 levels and MASP2 polymorphisms in a Nigerian study group, of 163 individuals infected with Schistosoma haematobium and 183 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

MASP-2 serum levels varied between younger children (≤12 years) and older children (>12 years) and adults (P = 0.0001). Younger children with a patent infection had significantly lower MASP-2 serum levels than uninfected children (P = 0.0074). Older children and adults (>12 years) with a current infection had higher serum MASP-2 levels than controls (P = 0.032). MBL serum levels correlated positively with MASP-2 serum levels (P = 0.01). MASP2 secretor haplotypes were associated with MASP-2 serum levels in healthy subjects. The heterozygous MASP2 p.P126L variant was associated with reduced serum MASP-2 levels (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that higher MASP-2 serum levels are associated with relative protection from urogenital schistosomiasis in Nigerian children.