STRUCTURE, PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF SURFACTANT PROTEIN-A

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a highly ordered, oligomeric glycoprote in that is secreted into the airspaces of the lung by the pulmonary ep ithelium. The in vitro activities of protein suggest diverse roles in pulmonary host defense and surfactant homeostasis, structure and surfa ce activity. Functional mapping of SP-A using directed mutagenesis has identified domains which interact with surfactant phospholipids, alve olar type II cells and microbes. Recently developed genetically manipu lated animal models are beginning to clarify the critical physiologica l roles for SP-A in the normal lung, and in the pathophysiology of pul monary disease. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.