Surfactant protein A (SP-A) gene targeted mice.
Mice lacking surfactant protein A (SP-A) mRNA and protein in vivo were generated using gene targeting techniques. SP-A (-/-) mice have normal levels of SP-B, SP-C and SP-D mRNA and protein and survive and breed normally in vivarium conditions. Phospholipid composition, secretion and clearance, and incorporation of phospholipid precursors are normal in the SP-A (-/-) mice. Lungs of SP-A (-/-) mice have markedly decreased tubular myelin figures and clear Group B streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa less efficiently than SP-A wild type mice. These studies of SP-A (-/-) mice demonstrate that SP-A has an important role in the innate immune system of the lung in vivo.
Korfhagen
T R
TR
Division of Pulmonary Biology, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.
LeVine
A M
AM
Whitsett
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D018390:Gene Targeting; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011510:Proteolipids / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D011510:Proteolipids; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants