What is the Role of Collectins in Health and Disease?
Collectins are vital for maintaining homeostasis and protecting the body against infections. Their deficiency or dysfunction can lead to increased susceptibility to infections and inflammatory diseases. For example, deficiencies in MBL are associated with recurrent respiratory infections and increased risk of autoimmune diseases. In contrast, high levels of SP-A and SP-D are often observed in chronic lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis, indicating their involvement in disease pathogenesis and progression.
