Background: Mitochondria are remnants of a eubacterial endosymbiont and may elicit untoward inflammation. Results: MBL, L-ficolin, and M-ficolin recognize mitochondria. MBL binding activates complement. Upon mitochondrial challenge, C3 is consumed in vivo in the absence of overt inflammation.
Conclusion:The lectin pathway may be involved in homeostatic clearance of mitochondria. Significance: This is the first indication of lectin pathway involvement in mitochondrial immune handling.