Generating Innate Immune Diversity to Recognize Newly Emerging Pathogens

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Overview: Emergence of new and drug-resistant pathogens is a reality. Most of these pathogens contain thick carbohydrate coats that are rarely recognized by our classical antibodies (e.g., IgG). However, innate immune collectins are anti-carbohydrate antibody-like molecules, and readily recognize a range of microbes. We will determine whether tissue inflammation induces mutation in collectins such as lung surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A, SP-D), so that the mutant proteins can recognize and neutralize newly emerging pathogens. This mechanism could give an evolutionary advantage to the host animals and humans.