protein_function: Contributes to the lung"s defense against inhaledmicroorganisms, organic antigens and toxins. Interacts withcompounds such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides, oligosaccharidesand fatty acids and modulates leukocyte action in immune response.May participate in the extracellular reorganization or turnover ofpulmonary surfactant. Binds strongly maltose residues and to alesser extent other alpha-glucosyl moieties..
Surfactant, pulmonary-associated protein D, also known as SFTPD or SP-D, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the SFTPD gene. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, the SP-D gene was localized in 10q22.2-q23.1. On the basis of homology with other collectins, potential functions for SP-D include roles in innate immunity and surfactant metabolism, SP-D is produced in the bronchiolar and terminal epithelium of human fetal lung from about 21 weeks of gestation. What??s more, SP-A and SP-D act as dual-function surveillance molecules that reverse orientation and function and become initiators of host-defense reactions.
