Abstract: Pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A), the major surfactant protein component in pulmonary surfactant (PS), distributes on bronchus or interface of aero-fluid in pulmonary alveolus, is members of collectin family in C-type lectin family. It plays significant functions than other SP proteins, SP-A is able to retain the normal biological function of pulmonary surfactant (PS) and regulate the local immunity and inflammation responses in lung. Studies indicate that the change of SP-A is correlated with mammalian pulmonary disease, SP-A can be marker of the degree of pulmonary disease and attracts attention increasing. In addition, it has gained some success how to treat acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) with pulmonary surfactant preparation, however, it is lack of SP-A in exogenous PS preparation that limits the curative effect largely. Therefore, it may be a major aspect of PS preparation, which study the express and regulation of SP-A by molecular biology methods and acquire more SP-A products.

Key words: pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A; biological function; ALI/ARDS; pulmonary surfactant preparation