Surfactant proteins A and D in pregnancy and parturition

Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2011 Jan 1;3(1):291-300. doi: 10.2741/e244.

Abstract

Surfactant proteins A and D have extra-pulmonary expression at various mucosal sites including the reproductive tract. Reproductive tissues require a fine immune balance, strong enough to keep infection at a bay and at the same time, subtle enough to support an allogeneic fetus throughout the pregnancy. Roles of SP-A and SP-D have been studied in depth and include immunoregulatory function, besides strengthening the innate immune system against various pathogens in the lungs. Interestingly, levels of SP-A and SP-D in the amniotic fluid increase progressively in pregnancy. SP-A has been implicated in the induction of parturition. The present review elaborates the plausible roles of SP-A and SP-D in pregnancy maintenance and future applications.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / physiology
  • Amnion / metabolism
  • Amniotic Fluid / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Parturition / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / genetics
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / genetics
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / metabolism*

Substances

  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases