Pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B) is a 79 amino acid peptide that is associated with surfactant phospholipids in the alveolar space. Mutations in the SP-B gene that result in complete absence of SP-B are fatal in the neonatal period. The pathology associated with SP-B deficiency suggests that SP-B plays a critical role in the synthesis, assembly and metabolism of surfactant. The overall goal of this proposal is to elucidate the role of SP-B in surfactant homeostasis by characterizing the pathophysiology associated with cell-specific expression of SP-B constructs in vivo. Human SP-B constructs, under control of lung cell- specific promoters, will be expressed in SP-B knockout mice to achieve expression of the human transgene in a null background. The effect of transgene expression on lung structure and function will be assessed by biochemical, morphological, and physiological analyses of the surfactant system in fetal and neonatal offspring.
The specific aims of this study are to use these mice to study: 1) the functional consequences of over- and underexpression of SP-B; 2) the function of SP-B in Type II and Clara cells; 3) the function of the propeptide domains of the SP-B proprotein; and, 3) the role of inter- and intra-disulfide linkages in SP-B function. These studies will allow characterization of the function of SP-B in the context of the whole animal, define its role in surfactant homeostasis, and facilitate the design of an appropriate therapy for SP-B deficiency.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL056285-02
Application #
2415690
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-RAP (01))
Project Start
1996-05-01
Project End
2001-04-30
Budget Start
1997-05-01
Budget End
1998-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229
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Bein, Kiflai; Wesselkamper, Scott C; Liu, Xiangdong et al. (2009) Surfactant-associated protein B is critical to survival in nickel-induced injury in mice. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 41:226-36
Ryan, Marnie A; Akinbi, Henry T; Serrano, Alicia G et al. (2006) Antimicrobial activity of native and synthetic surfactant protein B peptides. J Immunol 176:416-25
Akei, Hiroko; Whitsett, Jeffrey A; Buroker, Michelle et al. (2006) Surface tension influences cell shape and phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 291:L572-9
Bridges, James P; Weaver, Timothy E (2006) Use of transgenic mice to study lung morphogenesis and function. ILAR J 47:22-31
Ikegami, Machiko; Whitsett, Jeffrey A; Martis, Prithy C et al. (2005) Reversibility of lung inflammation caused by SP-B deficiency. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 289:L962-70
Melton, Kristin R; Nesslein, Lori L; Ikegami, Machiko et al. (2003) SP-B deficiency causes respiratory failure in adult mice. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 285:L543-9

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