Role of surfactant protein A in non-infectious lung diseases

J Med Invest. 2014;61(1-2):1-6. doi: 10.2152/jmi.61.1.

Abstract

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a large multimeric protein found in the airways and alveoli of the lungs. SP-A is a member of the collectin family of proteins, characterized by NH2-terminal collagen-like regions and COOH-terminal lectin domains. Although other surfactant proteins such as SP-B function to reduce surface tension in the lungs, SP-A as well as SP-D regulates the pulmonary immune response. To date, a number of studies have shown the immunoregulatory function of SP-A, mainly in the field of infectious diseases. By binding to a wide variety of pathogens, SP-A opsonizes and enhances pathogen uptake by phagocytes. In addition to the effect on pathogens, recent studies have shown that SP-A also modulates lung immune system in the area of non-infectious lung diseases. In this review, the potential role of SP-A in the multiple aspects of pulmonary host defense will be discussed, focusing mainly on non-infectious lung diseases such as acute and chronic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. J. Med. Invest. 61: 1-6, February, 2014.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases / immunology*
  • Lung Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / physiology*

Substances

  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A