SP-A and SP-D in host defense against fungal infections and allergies.
Innate immunity mediated by pattern recognition proteins is relevant in the host defense against fungi. SP-A and SP-D are two such proteins belonging to the class of collagen domain containing C-type lectins, or collectins. They bind to the sugar moieties present on the cell walls of various fungi in a dose dependent manner via their carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). SP-A and SP-D directly interact with alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes. We review these roles of SP-A and SP-D against various clinically relevant fungal pathogens and fungal allergens. SP-A and SP-D gene deficient mice showed increased susceptibility/ resistance to various fungal infections. Patients of fungal infections and allergies are reported with alterations in the serum or lung lavage levels of SP-A and SP-D. There are studies associating the gene polymorphisms in SP-A and SP-D with alterations in their levels or functions or susceptibility of the host to fungal diseases. In view of the protective role of SP-D in murine models of Aspergillus fumigatus infections and allergies, therapeutic use of SP-D could be explored further.
National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India.
Hrishikesh
H
Pandit
Shanmuga P
SP
Madhukaran
Annapurna
A
Nayak
Taruna
T
Madan
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D051379:Mice; D009181:Mycoses / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D