Dexamethasone and The Long Acting β 2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist, R,R-formoterrol (RF), Upregulate CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein (C/EBP) Gene Expression and Induce Production of The Immunoprotective Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) in Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Abstract

The innate immune molecule SP-D is thought to exert an essential protective function during the allergic airway response. The regulation of this lung collectin is unclear but there are indications that corticosteroids and cAMP are necessary for expression of SP-D. We hypothesized that the immunosuppressive actions of dexamethasone and the long acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, RF, are mediated at least partly, by induction of SP-D production in the airways.