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Antifungal activities of surfactant protein D in an environment closely mimicking the lung lining

Soledad R Ordonez1, Martin van Eijk1, Natalia Escobar Salazar2

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Molecular Immunology
|December 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Lung surfactant protein D (SP-D) enhances innate immune defenses against inhaled fungi like Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus by reducing adhesion and promoting neutrophil clearance.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary immunology
  • Innate immunity
  • Host-pathogen interactions

Background:

  • The lung lining employs innate defenses, including mucociliary clearance, soluble factors, and phagocytic cells, to combat inhaled fungal pathogens.
  • The specific roles of these defenses vary with the fungal species and infection stage.
  • Lung surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a key component of pulmonary innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization and antifungal activity of SP-D in a lung-mimicking environment.
  • To assess SP-D's role in the clearance of *Candida albicans* and *Aspergillus fumigatus*.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Calu-3 cells cultured on an air-liquid interface to simulate lung epithelium with mucus production.
  • Introduced neutrophils to evaluate their role in fungal clearance.
  • Examined SP-D's interaction with *Candida albicans* and *Aspergillus fumigatus*.

Main Results:

  • SP-D strongly localized to fungal surfaces throughout infection stages.
  • SP-D significantly reduced fungal adhesion to the lung epithelium.
  • SP-D enhanced neutrophil-mediated clearance of fungi from the epithelial surface.

Conclusions:

  • SP-D is crucial for pulmonary defense against fungal infections.
  • SP-D contributes to fungal clearance by limiting adhesion and enhancing phagocytic cell activity.
  • These findings highlight SP-D's multifaceted role in combating inhaled fungal pathogens.
Keywords:
A. fumigatusC. albicansCalu-3 cellsLung liningNeutrophilsSurfactant protein D (SP-D)

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