SURFACTANT PROTEIN-A AND LUNG DEFENSE

Children'S Hospital Med Ctr (Cincinnati), Cincinnati OH

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract and specific aims): This application seeks to determine the role and the mechanism by which surfactant protein-A (SP-A) protects the lung from bacterial infection. SP-A is an abundant surfactant associated protein produced postnatally principally by two cellular compartments, the distal bronchiolar epithelium and alveolar Type II cells and the tracheal/bronchial glands. Its structural and functional resemblance to collections and the in vitro properties as an opsonin of bacterial pathogens strongly infer that SP-A is an important component of the innate immune system of the lung. This application, will test the hypothesis that SP-A protects the lung in vivo from bacterial infection and reduces septic spread from the lung by enhancing bacterial uptake and killing by alveolar macrophages and peripheral monocytes. The specific aims address: 1) the role and mechanism of SP-A during lung infection and prevention of septic spread of bacteria; 2) cellular sites and quantity of SP-A synthesis required to protect the lungs from bacterial infection; and protection of the lung of SP-A -/- mice from infection by transtracheal replacement with SP-A.