Host defense peptides (HDPs) are important effector molecules of the innate immune system
of vertebrates. These antimicrobial peptides are also present in invertebrates, plants and …

This review is focused on the evolution and function of alveolar proteins. The lung faces
physical and environmental challenges, due to changing pressures/volumes and foreign …

The fish swimbladder is a unique organ in vertebrate evolution and it functions for regulating
buoyancy in most teleost species. It has long been postulated as a homolog of the tetrapod …

Innate immunity mechanisms play a critical role in the primary response to invading
pathogenic microorganisms and other insulting agents. The innate lung immune system …

Collectins are effector molecules of the innate immune system that play an important role in
the first line of defence against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Most of their interactions with …

The lectin pathway of the complement system is characterized by two groups of soluble
pattern recognition molecules, mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) and ficolins. These …

Host defenses against viral infections depend on a complex interplay of innate (nonspecific)
and adaptive (specific) components. In the early stages of infection, innate mechanisms …

Surfactant lipids and proteins form a surface active film at the air‐liquid interface of internal
gas exchange organs, including swim bladders and lungs. The system is uniquely …

Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays a key role in innate lung host defense, in
surfactant-related functions, and in parturition. In the course of evolution, the genetic …

Palate, lung and nasal epithelial clone (PLUNC) proteins are structural homologues to the
innate defence molecules LPS-binding protein (LBP) and bactericidal/permeability …