Abstract
There is an annual increase of influenza-related SARI cases in winter months. Despite the high relevance of this problem, influenza pathogenesis and the role of surfactant system and its SP-A (surfactant protein A) enzyme in antiviral defense remain poorly understood. SP-A activates macrophage M1 polarization and triggers an antiviral response due to the activation of T-cells and dendritic cells. Therefore, surfactant system is an important element of infection protection and a promising therapeutic target.
Highlights
Respiratory tract is constantly exposed to various infectious agents
Immunohistochemiсal analysis has shown that seasonal influenza viruses can replicate in lower airways like H5N1 viruses and activate mononuclear phagocyte system including alveolar macrophages [24]
That is primarily due to prolonged persistence of influenza in cells of infected mice lungs as indirectly demonstrated by high numerical densities of macrophages and type II pneumocytes expressing influenza A antigen throughout the study
Summary
Respiratory tract is constantly exposed to various infectious agents. Influenza A virus infection is one of the most common lung infections worldwide that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract [1]. There are 3 types of seasonal influenza viruses—A, B and C. Type A influenza viruses are further classified into subtypes according to the combinations of various virus surface proteins. Among many subtypes of influenza A viruses, influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) subtypes are currently circulating among humans [2].
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