[Surfactant proteins A and D: major factors of the immune response of the lung].
Surfactant proteins (SP) A and D play a key role in pulmonary host defense of preterm and term newborns. SP-A and SP-D have structural elements of both collagens and lectins, for which they are called "collectins". SP-A and SP-D coordinate the innate and adaptive immune response in the lung and convey protection against infection in amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa. They are pattern-recognizing molecules of the innate immune system that are involved in binding, agglutination of pathogens, chemotaxis of neutrophils, phagocytosis of pathogens, and production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, SP-A and SP-D interact with the adaptive immune system by reducing interleukin-2 production and T lymphocyte proliferation.
Universitäts-Kinderklinik Würzburg, Würzburg. b-s.kramer@t-online.de
B W
BW
Kramer
C P
CP
Speer
D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000502:physiology*; D037701:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037701:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species