Surfactant proteins in innate host defense of the lung

Biol Neonate. 2005;88(3):175-80. doi: 10.1159/000087580.

Abstract

Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) are members of the collectin family of host defense proteins that are expressed in epithelial cells lining the lung. SP-A and SP-D interact with surfactant lipids in complex ways to determine the structure of tubular myelin, and the ratio of surfactant subfractions that, in turn, influences surfactant uptake and metabolism, respectively. SP-A and SP-D play critical roles in host defense of the lung against diverse viral, fungal, and bacterial pathogens. The collectins bind to the surfaces of microbes via carbohydrate-dependent interaction, aggregating, opsonizing, and enhancing clearance of the organisms by alveolar macrophages in the lung. Pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D play dual roles in pulmonary homeostasis, determining the structure of alveolar lipids and mediating the innate host defense system of the lung.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / microbiology
  • Lung Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Lung Diseases / virology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / prevention & control
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / physiology
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C / physiology
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / physiology
  • Pulmonary Surfactants*
  • Virus Diseases / prevention & control

Substances

  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
  • Pulmonary Surfactants