Mannose binding lectin gene influences severity of liver disease

An independent genetic factor, the mannose binding lectin gene influences liver disease severity in cystic fibrosis patients.

Written byTudor Toma
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Chronic liver disease is a major complication of cystic fibrosis (CF) and factors other than the deletion of ΔF508 (which causes CF) may control the development of liver damage. In May Journal of Medical Genetics Gabolde and colleagues from Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris report that an independent genetic factor — the mannose binding lectin (MBL) gene — influences the severity of chronic liver disease in CF patients.

Gabolde et al studied the association between the allelic variants of MBL and the presence of liver cirrhosis among a homogenous homozygous ΔF508 population of 216 patients with CF. Denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the presence of cirrhosis was significantly associated with a mutated MBL genotype.

Immunodeficiency characteristically associated with MBL variants could increase the hepatotoxic damage from viruses and may therefore facilitate the degradation of the liver in these patients.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter Logo
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina

Products

nuclera logo

Nuclera eProtein Discovery System installed at leading Universities in Taiwan

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo