title: Structure, biologic properties, and expression of surfactant protein D (SP-D).
abstract: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the family of collagenous host defense lectins, designated collectins. There is increasing evidence that SP-D, like SP-A, is an important component of the innate immune response to microbial challenge, and that it may participate in other aspects of immune and inflammatory regulation within the lung. SP-D binds to glycoconjugates and/or lipid moieties expressed by a wide variety of microorganisms and certain other organic particles, in vitro. Although binding may facilitate microbial clearance through aggregation or other direct effects on the organism, SP-D also has the capacity to modulate leukocyte function, and in some circumstances, to enhance their killing of microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center, 216 S. Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. crouch@path.wustl.edu
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Crouch
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006001:Glycoconjugates; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants