Surfactant protein D: Increased accumulation in silica-induced pulmonary lipoproteinosis

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) (CP4) is a collagenous surfactant-associated carbohydrate binding protein that is synthesized and secreted by alveolar epithelial cells. Previous studies have shown that intratracheal administration of crystalline silica to rats elicits a marked increase in the alveolar accumulation of surfactant lipids and surfactant protein A (SP-A). The authors examined the accumulation of SP-D using this animal model of alveolar proteinosis. Immunoperoxidase localization of SPD studies at 2 weeks after silica instillation showed intense staining of intra-alveolar exudates, and cytoplasmic staining of hypertrophic type II cells. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that airspace SP-D was specifically associated with granular material, but not tubular myelin or other membranous structures. SP-D was quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage by immunoassay using antibodies specific for SP-D, and by reverse-phase HPLC after affinity purification of SP-D on maltosyl-agarose. Within 2 weeks after silica instillation, there was a > 45-fold increase in lavage SP-D per lung compared with saline controls, including an almost ten-fold increase in the insoluble or surfactant-associated protein. These studies indicate that the extracellular accumulation of SP-D is markedly increased in silica-induced lipoproteinosis, and that SP-D is associated with amorphous components identified by electron microscopy.