INDUCTION OF TNF-ALPHA RELEASE FROM HUMAN BUFFY COAT CELLS BY PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA IS REDUCED BY LUNG SURFACTANT PROTEIN-A

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of TNF-alpha release is a central e vent in the pathophysiology of Gram-negative bacterial septicaemia. Lu ng surfactant protein A (SP-A) mediates pathogen/host cell interaction s. Binding of SP-A to Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS and the effects of SP -A with LPS or whole bacteria on buffy coat cells were investigated. S P-A interacts with P, aeruginosa LPS in a concentration and calcium de pendent manner, either through the lipid A portion of LPS or through a nother lectin/carbohydrate interaction. SP-A decreased TNF-alpha secre tion induced by bacteria or LPS from buffy coat cells, in a concentrat ion dependent manner. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Soci eties.