Control of lung infection, allergy and inflammation: assessment of the therapeutic potential of recombinant forms of lung surfactant proteins sp-a and sp-d.

Objective

Antibiotics are routinely used in the treatment of lung microbial infections and there is concern about the increasing number of lung pathogens which show antibiotic-resistance. Lung surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) are part of the naturally occurring innate immune system which provides an immediate defence against a wide range of lung pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and also have an anti-inflammatory forms of allergic reactions. Levels of SP-A -and SP-D fall during certain infections. thus the use of recombinant forms of these proteins may alleviate the need for administration of antibiotics, especially in the very young, ventilated patients and immunocompromised adults (such as AIDS patients). Recombinant forms of SP-A and SP-D will be directly tested as therapeutic agents and also after their addition to lung surfactant preparations which are in clinical use/or trials (which at present lack SP-A and SP-D). The recombinant forms of SP-A and SP-D will be fully characterised and their biological properties assessed by in vitro assays and in animal models of lung infection and inflammation. This will allow the formulation of the optimal recombinant forms of SP-A and SP-D for use in human clinical trials.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › immunology
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › infectious diseases › RNA viruses › HIV
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › pharmacology and pharmacy › pharmaceutical drugs › antibiotics
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › pharmacology and pharmacy › drug resistance › antibiotic resistance

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-2. - Key action Control of Infectious Diseases

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Address

20 Park Crescent
W1N 4AL London
United Kingdom

Participants (4)

ALTANA PHARMA A.G.

Germany

Address

Byk-gulden Str. 2
78467 Konstanz

UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID

Spain

Address

Ciudad Universitaria S/n
28040 Madrid

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK - UNIVERSITY OF ODENSE

Denmark

Address

Winsloeevparken 21
5000 Odense

UTRECHT UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Yalelaan 1
3584 CL Utrecht