MANNOSE-BINDING PROTEIN RECOGNIZES GLIOMA-CELLS - IN-VITRO ANALYSIS OF COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION ON GLIOMA-CELLS VIA THE LECTIN PATHWAY

The lectin pathway is a novel pathway far activation of the complement cascade, which is initiated by the binding of mannose-binding protein (MBP) to its carbohydrate ligands. We investigated whether the comple ment system was activated in vitro by glioma cells through this pathwa y to the C3 level. MBP was found to bind to all six glioma cell lines tested by using flow cytometric analysis. Binding of a complex of MBP- associated serine protease and MBP was observed in two of the cell lin es examined, thereby resulting in C4 consumption. Activation of C3 was hemolytically evaluated in these two lines. C3 consumption was also o bserved in one. Based on these results, it is likely that recognition by MBP followed by complement activation occurs in certain glioma cell lines.