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Lung surfactant proteins (SP‐A and SP‐D) in non‐adaptive host responses to infection
Author(s) -
Holmskov Uffe
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.66.5.747
Subject(s) - collectin , surfactant protein d , biology , effector , surfactant protein a , lectin , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , pulmonary surfactant , lung , immunology , inflammation , immune system , glycoprotein , innate immune system , biochemistry , medicine
The lung surfactant proteins A and D (SP‐A and SP‐D) are collectins composed of C‐type lectin domains attached to collagen regions. SP‐A and SP‐D are mainly found in the surfactant covering the pulmonary epithelial cells, but are also produced by cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. The main role of SP‐A and SP‐D is to interact directly with carbohydrate on the surface of microbial pathogens, thereby initiating a variety of effector mechanisms. This review focuses on the non‐adaptive host responses of SP‐A and SP‐D to infection. Interaction of SP‐A and SP‐D with phagocytes is discussed and the structure and function of the putative receptors for SP‐A and SP‐D is presented. SP‐A and SP‐D seem to be regulated in a way similar to acute‐phase proteins in the course of inflammation and evidence for the involvement of SP‐A and SP‐D as immunomodulators as well as their role in clearing allergens and modulating effector mechanisms in allergic reactions is discussed. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 747–752; 1999.