THE SERUM MANNOSE-BINDING PROTEIN AND THE MACROPHAGE MANNOSE RECEPTORARE PATTERN-RECOGNITION MOLECULES THAT LINK INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY

The innate immune system evolved to protect the host in the early phas es of an infectious challenge. The soluble mannose binding protein, an d the cell surface mannose receptor are two key pattern recognition mo lecules of innate immunity. The ligand binding specificity of these mo lecules enables them to differentiate 'self from 'non-self. These patt ern recognition capabilities are coupled to effector functions, which enable them to interact with other molecules of the immune system. In this way, these pattern recognition molecules are able to serve as a l ink between the innate and adaptive immune systems.