ABSTRACT
MUC4 are predominantly produced pical surface of ciliated cells. The level can change during certain chronic
r, mucin production is increased by ts, some pro-inflammatory mediators,
ls also contribute to protection and
four surfactant proteins, designated d SP-D, and these proteins are critical ction. It is clear that the lack of pulich can occur during acute or chronic olymorphism(s) of the SP genes, can
-D are very large hydrophilic proteins f a carbohydrate-binding (or lectin) n-like domain. For this reason, these y referred to as “collectin” proteins. The eins play an important role in innate by direct antiviral, antibacterial, and ulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine cement of leukocyte phagocytic activased, in part, on the lectin domains of ding to complex carbohydrates on ich leads tomore efficient phagocytosis. the phagocytic cells, the SP-bound
ng leukocyte respiratory burst response gocyte antimicrobial killing. Both SP-A m a trimeric complex in the surfactant multimeric structures provide the SP ed functional activity, as a result of binding activity.
