complement activation triggered by the interaction of microbial polysaccharides with serum mannose-binding lectin resulting in the activation of mannose-binding protein-associated serine proteases. As in the classical pathway, MASPs cleave complement c4 and complement c2 to form C3 CONVERTASE (C4B2A) and the subsequent C5 CONVERTASE (C4B2A3B) leading to cleavage of complement c5 and assembly of complement membrane attack complex.