MBL belongs to the class of collectins in the C-type lectin superfamily, whose function appears to be pattern recognition in the first line of defense in the pre-immune host.
A MBL pertence á clase das colectinas dentro da superfamilia das lectinas de tipo C, cuxa función parece ser un recoñecemento de padrón na primeira liña de defensa no hóspede preinmune.