Progressive lung disease and surfactant dysfunction with a deletion in surfactant protein C gene

Aaron Hamvas*, Lawrence M. Nogee, Frances V. White, Pamela Schuler, Brian P. Hackett, Charles B. Huddleston, Eric N. Mendeloff, Fong Fu Hsu, Susan E. Wert, Linda W. Gonzales, Michael F. Beers, Philip L. Ballard

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mutations in the surfactant protein (SP)-C gene are responsible for familial and sporadic interstitial lung disease (ILD). The consequences of such mutations on pulmonary surfactant composition and function are poorly understood. To determine the effects of a mutation in the SP-C gene on surfactant, we obtained lung tissue at the time of transplantation from a 14-mo-old infant with progressive ILD. An in-frame 9-bp deletion spanning codons 91-93 in Exon 3 of the SP-C gene was present on one allele; neither parent carried this deletion. SP-C mRNA was present in normal size and amount. By immunofluorescence, proSP-C was aggregated within alveolar Type II cells in a compartment separate from SP-B. In airway surfactant, there was little or no mature SP-B or SP-C; SP-A content was increased. Minimum surface tension was increased (20 mN/m, normal < 5 mN/m). Type II cells contained normal and disorganized appearing lamellar bodies by electron microscopy. This spontaneous deletion on one allele of the SP-C gene was associated with sporadic ILD and abnormalities in surfactant composition and function. We propose that a dominant negative effect on surfactant protein metabolism and function results from aggregation of misfolded proSP-C and subsequent cell injury and inflammation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)771-776
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology
Volume30
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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