Mannose-binding lectin is present in human semen and modulates cellular adhesion of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in vitro

Abstract

SummaryMannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an innate immune molecule present in blood and some mucosal tissues, which can influence microbial attachment and inflammatory responses of host cells during infection. In this study MBL was found to be present at a low concentration in semen samples in the range 1·2-24·9 ng/ml. Co-incubation of bacteria with semen resulted in the binding of MBL to the bacterial surface. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common cause of genitourinary infection. MBL bound to N. gonorrhoeae with strain-to-strain variation in the intensity of binding and nature of the bacterial receptor. Pretreatment with MBL concentrations similar to those found in human serum modulated the adhesion of N. gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 but not strain MS11 to epithelial cells. This effect was dose-dependent. This work demonstrates that MBL is present in human semen and modifies cellular responses to N. gonorrhoeae in a concentration-dependent manner.

Vigorous Response of Human Innate Functioning IgM Memory B Cells upon Infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

“…When considering this, it is surprising that the Ab response elicited by N. gonorrhoeae is poor compared with other mucosal infections and does not elicit a classical immunologic memory response that would otherwise protect upon subsequent exposure (7). B cells are APCs and express many pattern recognition molecules capable of detecting bacterial-derived products (20,(41)(42)(43)(44). Although this suggests that B cells should recognize all bacteria equally, our results unexpectedly reveal that N. gonorrhoeae has a specific tropism for the IgM memory subset of human B cells that elicits both their proliferation and a potent but broadly reactive T cell-independent Ig response.…”

Bottlenecks in HIV-1 transmission: insights from the study of founder viruses

“…To understand the role of MBL in HIV-1 transmission, it may be useful to examine whether MBL levels in genital secretions influence HIV-1 susceptibility. Interestingly, MBL is found at low concentrations in semen 42 , but whether MBL is present in CVM is unknown.…”

Evaluación in vitro del efecto de Neisseria gonorrhoeae y los factores solubles producto de su metabolismo sobre la calidad espermática

“…gonorrhoeae es un diplococo gramnegativo responsable de la ITS conocida como gonorrea, la cual es altamente prevalente a nivel global (2,11). Al evaluar la calidad seminal a través de los pará-metros espermáticos luego de la incubación in vitro de la bacteria y los factores solubles producto de su metabolismo con los espermatozoides, observamos que N. gonorrhoeae disminuye de forma estadísticamente significativa la viabilidad espermática sin afectar la movilidad.…”

“…gonorrhoeae es un diplococo gran negativo, aerobio no esporulado e inmóvil, implicado en diferentes infecciones del tracto genitourinario tanto masculino como femenino (1,2). El gonococo, como también suele denominarse frecuentemente a esta bacteria, causa infecciones severas en las mujeres que incluyen la enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria (EPI), endometritis, infección de las trompas de Falopio, abscesos ováricos y peritonitis pélvica (1,3) dejando secuelas a largo plazo como la infertilidad (4).…”