Abstract
Surfactant proteins A and D are collectins which are considered to play an important role in the innate immunity of lungs. Our aim was to investigate whether surfactant protein A or D is expressed in the porcine Eustachian tube originating from the upper airways. Both surfactant proteins A and D were present in the epithelial cells of the Eustachian tube, as shown by strong immunostaining. Using RT-PCR and Northern hybridization, these collectins were detected in the Eustachian tube. The present study is the first report demonstrating surfactant protein gene expression in the Eustachian tube. Surfactant proteins A and D may be important in the antibody-independent protection of the middle ear.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Blotting, Northern
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Cattle
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Epithelial Cells / cytology
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Epithelial Cells / metabolism
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Eustachian Tube / cytology
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Eustachian Tube / metabolism*
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Glycoproteins / analysis
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Glycoproteins / chemistry
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Glycoproteins / genetics*
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Proteolipids / analysis
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Proteolipids / chemistry
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Proteolipids / genetics*
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Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
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Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
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Pulmonary Surfactants / analysis
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Pulmonary Surfactants / chemistry
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Pulmonary Surfactants / genetics*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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Rats
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
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Sheep
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Swine
Substances
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Glycoproteins
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Proteolipids
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Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
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Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
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Pulmonary Surfactants
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RNA, Messenger
Associated data
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GENBANK/AJ133002
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GENBANK/AJ133003