On the significance of Surfactant Protein-A within the human lungs
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Surfactant Protein-A (SP-A) is the most prominent among four proteins in the pulmonary surfactant-system. SP-A is expressed by alveolar epithelial cells type II as well as by a portion of non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC).</p> <p>The expression o...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
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BMC,
2009-03-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Online Access: | Connect to this object online. |
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| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Surfactant Protein-A (SP-A) is the most prominent among four proteins in the pulmonary surfactant-system. SP-A is expressed by alveolar epithelial cells type II as well as by a portion of non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC).</p> <p>The expression of SP-A is complexly regulated on the transcriptional and the chromosomal level. SP-A is a major player in the pulmonary cytokine-network and moreover has been described to act in the pulmonary host defense.</p> <p>By the use of cell culture or animal models the functional properties have been repeatedly shown in many aspects, often bearing surprising properties which strongly indicate the physiological importance of SP-A. To date SP-A is recognized as a molecule essential for pulmonary development, structure and function. An upcoming number of reports deals with the role of SP-A for pulmonary pathology. This article gives an overview about the state of knowledge on SP-A focused in applications for human pulmonary disorders and points out the importance for pathology-orientated research approaches using immunohistochemistry or <it>in situ </it>hybridization as promising methods to further elucidate the role of this molecule in adult lung diseases.</p> |
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| Item Description: | 10.1186/1746-1596-4-8 1746-1596 |