Mannose-Binding Lectin: Biologic Characteristics and Role in the Susceptibility to Infections and Ischemia-Reperfusion Related Injury in Critically Ill Neonates

Figure 3

A model illustrates the activation of the lectin pathway by natural IgM in I/R injury. IgM binds to the neoepitope in self-Ag and activates the lectin pathway of complement. The downstream events include the releasing of proinflammatory factors C3a and C5a, deposition of the membrane attack complexes C5–C9, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and leading to direct cell damage [38].