Surfactant protein A in bronchoalveolar lavage of sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Our results suggest that sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) may induce increased Surfactant protein A (SP-A) secretion from alveolar type II cells. In HP, this response could support antigen elimination from the alveoli by enhancement of macrophage functions. In both diseases increased SP-A levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may be indicative of increased total surfactant secretion. This would be beneficial in suppressing further lymphocyte activation which is a known immunomodulatory function of surfactant phospholipids.