A role for mannose-binding lectin, a component of the innate immune system in pre-eclampsia.

Problem Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a pattern-recognition receptor that activates complement and modulates inflammation. Homozygosity for the most common allele of the MBL2 gene associated with high MBL serum concentrations is more prevalent in patients with preeclampsia. The objective of this study was to determine maternal plasma MBL concentrations in normal pregnant women and patients with pre-eclampsia.