Surfactant protein-D deficiency suppresses systemic inflammation and reduces atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice

Abstract

SP-D deficiency reduces atherosclerosis in part by decreasing the accumulation and proliferation of macrophages and by reducing IL-6 levels systemically. SP-D is a promising therapeutic target for cachectic COPD patients with elevated circulating SP-D levels who are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.