Purification, Measurement of Concentration, and Functional Complement Assay of Human Ficolins

Ficolins constitute a group of lectins involved in innate immunity. L-Ficolin, H-ficolin, and M-ficolin are present in human serum. The human ficolins differ in carbohydrate-binding specificity, but they have in common the ability to recognize the acetyl group. L-Ficolin and H-ficolin are associated with serine proteases termed MASPs (MBL-associated serine proteases) and their truncated proteins, and the complexes (L/H-ficolin–MASP) activate the lectin pathway of complement upon binding to their ligands. Recombinant M-ficolin is also able to form a complex with MASP, resulting in complement activation. L-Ficolin and H-ficolin can be purified as a complex with MASP from serum by utilizing their binding specificities. These ficolin–MASP complexes have an ability to activate C4. Human ficolins are quantified by ELISA using specific antibodies or ligands.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: news