Surfactant protein A binds to the fusion glycoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus and neutralizes virion infectivity

J Infect Dis. 1999 Dec;180(6):2009-13. doi: 10.1086/315134.

Abstract

Collectins are a family of calcium-dependent collagenous lectins that appear to be important in innate host defense. We investigated the ability of three human collectins, namely, lung surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) and the serum mannose-binding protein (MBP), to bind to the surface glycoproteins of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). SP-A was shown to bind to the F (fusion) glycoprotein but not to the viral G (attachment) glycoprotein, and binding was completely abrogated in the presence of EDTA. Neither SP-D nor MBP bound to either glycoprotein. SP-A also neutralized RSV in a calcium dependent fashion. These results support a role for SP-A in the defense of infants against infection with RSV and indicate a possible mechanism for its protective activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Collectins
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • HN Protein*
  • Humans
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Proteolipids / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / metabolism*
  • Rabbits
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / physiology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Collectins
  • Glycoproteins
  • HN Protein
  • Proteolipids
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • attachment protein G