Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have a variety of functions. In innate immunity, lectins act as pattern-recognition molecules by recognizing and binding carbohydrate moieties of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Such host-defense lectins may be soluble or membrane bound. In this special issue, we focus on soluble host-defense lectins present in both vertebrates and invertebrates. These lectins include collectins, ficolins, galectins, pentraxins, and peptidoglycan-recognition protein. The binding of soluble host-defense lectins to pathogens triggers effector mechanisms such as phagocytosis, complement activation, and the activation of the Toll and prophenoloxidase (proPO) proteolytic cascade systems. We invite investigators to submit original research articles and review articles that will expand our understanding of soluble host-defense lectins with regard to their structure and function. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Structure and function of soluble host-defense lectins
• Role of soluble host-defense lectins in apoptosis
• Role of soluble host-defense lectins in diseases
• Role of soluble host-defense lectins in linking innate and adaptive immunity

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: