Mannose binding lectin gene polymorphisms confer a major risk for severe infections after liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: Infection is the primary cause of death after liver transplantation. Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a recognition molecule of the lectin pathway of complement and a key component of innate immunity. MBL variant alleles have been described in the coding region of the MBL gene, which are associated with low MBL serum concentration and impaired MBL structure and function. The aims of our study were to establish the role of the liver in production of serum MBL and to evaluate the effect of MBL variant alleles on the susceptibility to infection after liver transplantation.

Methods: We investigated 49 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. MBL exon 1 and promoter polymorphisms were determined in patients and in liver donors. MBL serum concentration was determined before and during 1 year after transplantation. The incidence of clinically significant infections during this period was assessed.

Results: Transplantation of MBL wildtype recipients with donor livers carrying MBL variant alleles resulted in a rapid and pronounced decrease of serum MBL levels. This serum conversion was associated with the disappearance of high molecular weight MBL. No indication for extrahepatic production of serum MBL could be obtained. The presence of MBL variant alleles in the MBL gene of the donor liver, but not in the recipient, was associated with a strongly increased incidence of clinically significant infections after transplantation.

Conclusions: Serum MBL is produced by the liver under strong genetic control. After liver transplantation, the MBL genotype of the donor liver is a major risk determinant for life-threatening infections.