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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Surfactant Protein A - From Genes to Human Lung Diseases

Author(s): S. Heinrich, D. Hartl and M. Griese

Volume 13, Issue 27, 2006

Page: [3239 - 3252] Pages: 14

DOI: 10.2174/092986706778773112

Price: $65

Abstract

Surfactant associated protein-A (SP-A) is the most abundant pulmonary surfactant protein and belongs to the family of innate host defense proteins termed collectins. Besides pulmonary host defense, SP-A is also involved in the formation of pulmonary surfactant, as it is essential for the structure of tubular myelin. The human SP-A gene locus includes two functional genes, SFTPA1 and SFTPA2 which are expressed independently, and a pseudo gene. The largest amount of SP-A1 proteins assemble to larger molecular complexes, whereas SP-A2 forms mainly dimers and trimers. SPA polymorphisms play a role in respiratory distress syndrome, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The levels of SP-A are decreased in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress syndrome and further chronic lung diseases. Future areas for clinical research include disease specific SP-A expression pattern and their functional consequences, the differential roles of SP-A1 and SP-A2 in human lung diseases, and therapeutical approaches to correct altered SP-A levels.

Keywords: surfactant protein A, innate immunity, polymorphisms, lung diseases

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