The association of mannose binding lectin genotype and immune response to Chlamydia pneumoniae: The Strong Heart Study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in American Indian communities. The Strong Heart Study (SHS) was initiated in response to the need for population based estimates of cardiovascular disease in American Indians. Previous studies within SHS have identified correlations between heart disease and deficiencies in mannose binding lectin (MBL), a motif recognition molecule of the innate immune system.

Genetic and other factors determining mannose-binding lectin levels in American Indians: the Strong Heart Study.

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) forms an integral part of the innate immune system. Persistent, subclinical infections and chronic inflammatory states are hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. MBL gene (MBL2) variants with between 12 to 25% allele frequency in Caucasian and other populations, result in markedly reduced expression of functional protein.

Genetic polymorphisms impact the risk of acute rejection in pediatric heart transplantation: a multi-institutional study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between the genetic polymorphisms of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines and long-term rates of repeat and late acute rejection episodes in pediatric heart transplant (PHTx) recipients.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-three PHTx recipients: 205 White non-Hispanic, 43 Black non-Hispanic, and 75 Hispanic were analyzed for time to first repeat and late acute rejection episodes by race, age at transplantation, and gene polymorphism (interleukin [IL]-6, -174 G/C, IL-10, -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, 592 C/A; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -2578 C/A, -460 C/T, +405 C/G; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-308 G/A).

Results: Recipient black race and older age at transplant were risk factors for both repeat and late rejections, though black race was more significantly related to late rejection (P=0.

Prospective analysis of mannose-binding lectin genotypes and coronary artery disease in American Indians: the Strong Heart Study.

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a circulating immune factor responsible for opsonization of pathogens and directly activating complement. Common variations in the MBL gene are responsible for an opsonic deficiency that affects 5% to 7% of whites and are associated with increased susceptibility to infections. After a preliminary report associating these variations with coronary artery disease (CAD), we determined MBL genotypes in 3 American Indian communities experiencing an increased mortality and morbidity from CAD.