Collectins and their role in lung immunity.

Abstract

The collectins are a small family of secreted glycoproteins that contain C-type lectin domains and collagenous regions. They have an important function in innate immunity, recognizing and binding to microorganisms via sugar arrays on the microbial surface. Their function is to enhance adhesion and phagocytosis of microorganisms by agglutination and opsonization. In the lung, two members of the collectin family, surfactant proteins A and D, are major protein constituents of surfactant. Another collectin, mannan-binding lectin, is also present in the upper airways and buccal cavity and may protect against respiratory infections. Recent work has shown that collectins have roles in resistance to allergy and in the control of apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic macrophage in the lung.

• Authors: T P Hickling, H Clark, R Malhotra, R B Sim
• Journal: Journal of leukocyte biology (J Leukoc Biol) Vol. 75 Issue 1 Pg. 27-33 (Jan 2004) ISSN: 0741-5400 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12972515 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Collectins
• Pulmonary Surfactants
• Complement System Proteins

Topics

• Cell Adhesion (physiology)
• Collectins (physiology)
• Complement System Proteins (physiology)
• Humans
• Immunity
• Lung (immunology)
• Phagocytosis
• Pulmonary Surfactants (metabolism)
• Respiratory Tract Infections (immunology, prevention & control)