Surfactant protein A and D expression in the porcine Eustachian tube.
Surfactant proteins A and D are collectins which are considered to play an important role in the innate immunity of lungs. Our aim was to investigate whether surfactant protein A or D is expressed in the porcine Eustachian tube originating from the upper airways. Both surfactant proteins A and D were present in the epithelial cells of the Eustachian tube, as shown by strong immunostaining. Using RT-PCR and Northern hybridization, these collectins were detected in the Eustachian tube. The present study is the first report demonstrating surfactant protein gene expression in the Eustachian tube. Surfactant proteins A and D may be important in the antibody-independent protection of the middle ear.
Paananen
R
R
Biocenter Oulu and Department of Pediatrics, University of Oulu, Finland. rpaanane@sun3.oulu.fi
Glumoff
V
V
Hallman
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002417:Cattle; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011510:Proteolipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011510:Proteolipids; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D012333:RNA, Messenger