Author(s)

Kazue Takahashi, Wei-Chuan Chang, Patience Moyo, Mitchell R. White, Parool Meelu, Anamika Verma, Gregory L. Stahl, Kevan L. Hartshorn, Vijay Yajnik

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Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a mammalian lectin, is a pattern recognition molecule of the innate immune system and recognizes carbo-hydrates that are exposed on pathogens. In this study, we observed that fructose down regu-lates MBL-mediated innate immune mechanisms against both influenza A virus (IAV) and Staphy-lococcus aureus. These mechanisms include the lectin complement pathway and coagulation enzyme-like activities on both pathogens. Fur-thermore, fructose also reduces MBL-mediated phagocytosis of S. aureus and IAV and MBL- mediated IAV infection to epithelial cells. In contrast, sucrose inhibits MBL-mediated im-mune mechanisms against S. aureus but not IAV. Together, our studies show that dietary sugars, in particular fructose, negatively regulate the innate immunity against viral and bacterial pathogens.

Mannose-Binding Lectin; Fructose; Influenza A Virus; Staphylococcus Aureus; Complement; Coagulation

Takahashi, K. , Chang, W. , Moyo, P. , White, M. , Meelu, P. , Verma, A. , Stahl, G. , Hartshorn, K. and Yajnik, V. (2011) Dietary sugars inhibit biologic functions of the pattern recognition molecule, mannose-binding lectin. Open Journal of Immunology, 1, 41-49. doi: 10.4236/oji.2011.12005.