The role of surfactant protein D in fibrotic lung remodelling

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, since even moderate airflow reduction increases the danger of ischemic heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. COPD is associated with enhanced inflammatory response in the airways and the lung tissue accompanied by a complex remodelling process with fibrosis as one possible outcome. Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a collectin with immunmodulatory function, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD and is seen as a potential biomarker for idiopathic interstitial fibr…