Surfactant protein D and it role on inflammatory responses in the cigarette-induced COPD model

Background: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a calcium-dependent carbohydrate molecule mainly produced by Type II pneumocytes and Clara cells in the lung. SP-D is involved in the innate immune system acting as an opsonin on the mucosal surfaces facilitating clearance of bacterial, viral, fungal or allergen challenge or other particulate material. Systemic SP-D variations, as well as, genetic variations have been associated to lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SP-D deficient mice spontaneously develop an emphysema-like pathology with excessive inflammation. In the present study, the eff…