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Respiration and heartbeat are among the important vital signs of living beings. Taking advantage of the physical attachment of lung and heart, measurements of both can be performed simultaneously using airflow rate microsensors to measure the respiration airflow. For such airflow rate sensors, the packaging is crucial to define and encapsulate the airflow region. In this study, we propose a facile packaging technique for flexible airflow rate microsensor. The thermal calorimetric sensing structure was fabricated through a standard microfabrication technology on a thin polyimide film. The film was packaged at the center of a resin tube utilizing its buckling. We also proposed an approach to improve the time response by limiting the thermal capacity around the sensing structure through the implementation of a thin substrate for the sensing structure supported by a thicker film. The strategy successfully improved both the time response and sensitivity of the airflow rate sensor. Finally, the utilization of the sensor for simultaneous respiration and heartbeat measurement was demonstrated through an animal experiment using a small animal, namely rat.

The pathophysiology of silicosis is poorly understood, limiting development of therapies for those who have been exposed to the respirable particle. We explored the mechanisms of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model using multiple modalities including wholelung single-nucleus RNA sequencing. These analyses revealed that in addition to pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, intratracheal silica challenge induced osteoclast-like differentiation of alveolar macrophages and recruited monocytes, driven by induction of the osteoclastogenic cytokine, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in pulmonary lymphocytes and alveolar type II cells. Furthermore, anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody treatment suppressed silica-induced osteoclast-like differentiation in the lung and attenuated silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that silica induces osteoclast-like differentiation of distinct recruited and tissue resident monocyte populations, leading to progressive lung injury, likely due to sustained elaboration of bone resorbing proteases and hydrochloric acid. Interrupting osteoclast-like differentiation may therefore constitute a promising avenue for moderating lung damage in silicosis.One Sentence SummarySilica induces the alveolar epithelium to reprogram recruited and resident pulmonary myeloid cells to become osteoclasts that contribute to pulmonary fibrosis.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported in a variety of diseases. Although ER stress can be detected using specific markers, it is still difficult to quantitatively evaluate the degree of stress and to identify the cause of the stress. The ER is the primary site for folding of secretory or transmembrane proteins as well as the site where glycosylation is initiated. This study therefore postulates that tracing the biosynthetic pathway of asparagine-linked glycans (N-glycans) would be a reporter for reflecting the state of the ER and serve as a quantitative descriptor of ER stress. Glycoblotting-assisted mass spectrometric analysis of the HeLa cell line enabled quantitative determination of the changes in the structures of N-glycans and degraded free oligosaccharides (fOSs) in response to tunicamycin- or thapsigargin-induced ER stress. The integrated analysis of neutral and sialylated N-glycans and fOSs showed the potential to elucidate the cause of ER stress, which cannot be readily done by protein markers alone. Changes in the total amount of glycans, increase in the ratio of high-mannose type N-glycans, increase in fOSs, and changes in the ratio of sialylated N-glycans in response to ER stress were shown to be potential descriptors of ER stress. Additionally, drastic clearance of accumulated N-glycans was observed in thapsigargin-treated cells, which may suggest the observation of ER stress-mediated autophagy or ER-phagy in terms of glycomics. Quantitative analysis of N-glycoforms composed of N-glycans and fOSs provides the dynamic indicators reflecting the ER status and the promising strategies for quantitative evaluation of ER stress.

A micro-machined tip-separable microneedle structure fabricated using a molding process was placed on the end of a metal rod with the outer diameter of 2.0 mm to produce a spear-shaped microneedle, and an applicator for inserting this microneedle into the skin based on a commercially available stamp mechanism was developed. The fabricated spear-shaped microneedle with the needle holder was inserted into the stamp mechanism and a load cell was embedded between the push button and the microneedle for quantitatively evaluating the applied force during microneedle insertion. A PDMS sheet with the Young’s modulus of 0.8 MPa, similar to that of human skin, was used as the artificial skin sample. The tip part was separated from the base and successfully embedded into the skin when the relatively large force of 64.9 N was applied within the time period of 426 ms. The tip was completely embedded to the depth of 0.305 mm below the skin surface, and thus the puncture marks generated by the insertion were almost completely closed thanks to the elasticity of the PDMS at the surface.

We propose a sensor-probe system for evaluating local airway resistance in the lungs. The system consists of a micro-machined thermal-flow sensor, based on the hot-wire airflow-meter principle, fabricated on a flexible substrate consisting of Cu foil and polyimide film and a commercially available Si pressure sensor. We inserted the system into a tube with a 5.0-mm inner diameter to evaluate its detection properties under a steady-flow of up to 6.0 L/m. The flow velocity vs. sensor output and pressure vs. tube length were successfully obtained. We then applied the system for reciprocating airflow measurement. A flow of 30 cc at 0.5 Hz generated with an artificial ventilator was used to imitate the breathing of a small animal, and we confirmed that the system successfully detected both flow and pressure change generated in the tube.

We developed a respiratory monitoring system to evaluate elasticity on the lungs of small animals by the positive-pressure airflow under artificial ventilation during experiments. The system consists of a tube-type thermal flow sensor fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and commercially available Si-MEMS pressure sensors. We first used a small spherical balloon having an inner volume of 0.68 cc as a simulated lung. We evaluated the balloon elasticity from the supplied flow volume and pressure inside the balloon and confirmed that our system can detect balloon elasticity from the gradient under both static and cyclic airflow. We evaluated our system in terms of the lung elasticity of a rat and obtained a flow volume vs. pressure curve showing the lung elasticity under artificial ventilation. The changes in the flow rate and pressure waveforms due to airway contraction with drug administration were detected with our system in real time.

A catheter sensor system composed of a tube flow sensor with a medical basket forceps and an optical fiberscope was systemized for in-situ measurements in the airway in the lung system. The tube flow sensor was produced by assembling the sensor film containing two heaters onto the tube surface, and the basket forceps was installed into the inside space of the tube sensor. The assembled tube flow sensor with the basket forceps was inserted into the tube and was fixed at the center of the tube by expanding the basket. The flow detection characteristics of the tube flow sensor were experimentally evaluated. A calibration equation based on King’s law was derived from the sensor output vs. flow velocity curve, and a sufficiently short response time of 60 ms was obtained for the breathing measurements in a rabbit and a person. Finally, the tube flow sensor with the basket forceps and the optical fiberscope was systemized into a single tube with the diameter of 5.0 mm for in-situ measurements in the airway. The developed system successfully detected both a breathing airflow waveform and an optical image inside the airway in the rabbit.

In this work, we developed a MEMS flow sensor for application to a drip infusion system. The MEMS sensor is composed of a silicone rubber layer, a film sensor with a flow rate measurement element consisting of a metal heater and thermistors formed on a thin polyimide film, and a PDMS layer with a flow channel that utilizes a plastic plate as a substrate. In the drip infusion system, the flow sensor needs to have high sensitivity in a low flow rate range under a low driving temperature condition in order to achieve high-precision drug delivery. Therefore, we utilized the calorimetric method as a flow rate measurement principle to improve the sensor sensitivity and set the driving condition of the sensor to 40 °C or less to prevent deterioration of the infusion drug. Experiments under these conditions showed that our flow sensor had high sensitivity in the low flow rate range of 5.0 g/min or less. We also evaluated the flow rate detection function using various liquids having the same properties as the drip infusion solution in the driving temperature of 40 °C or less and found that the flow sensor could sufficiently measure each solution within the set flow rate range.

A thermal sensor integrated with its driving circuit by using Cu on polyimide (COP) as a substrate was developed. A heater, working as the thermal flow sensor and constant temperature circuit (CTC), working as its driving feedback circuit, were successfully integrated on the COP substrate by photolithography, metal deposition, and sacrificial selective etching in the Cu layer. The Cu layer works to form a cavity that acts thermal isolation for the heater and electrical feedthroughs in the CTC. The electrical components, i.e., resistors, capacitors, and operational amplifiers, were mounted on the electrical pads using low-temperature solder paste of Sn–Bi at the CTC area. The areas of the thermal sensor and CTC were 11 × 23 mm and 16 × 24 mm, respectively. The area of the thermal sensor was inserted into a tube with a diameter of 5 mm acting as the flow sensor. The sensor outputs increased along with the airflow rate up to 10.0 L/min, and the calibration curve as the airflow-rate sensor was experimentally derived. The fabricated sensor outputs were not affected by variations in the airflow temperature and only depended on the airflow rate thanks to the added temperature compensation function, and a response time of 0.095 s was obtained.

The glycosylation of cell surface receptors has been shown to regulate each step of signal transduction, including receptor trafficking to the cell surface, ligand binding, dimerization, phosphorylation, and endocytosis. In this review we focus on the role of glycosyltransferases that are involved in the modification of N-glycans, such as the effect of branching and elongation in signaling by various cell surface receptors. In addition, the role of those enzymes in the EMT/MET programs, as related to differentiation and cancer development, progress and therapy resistance is discussed.

A 47-year-old female presented to a clinic complaining of right back pain. A CT scan revealed a right retroperitoneal mass and she was referred to our department for further evaluation. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI revealed a right retroperitoneal mass (6 cm) in the hilum of the right kidney that invaded the right renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). Suspecting a tumor arising from retroperitoneal tissues involving the right renal vein and IVC, the decision was made to excise the tumor with the right kidney, renal vein, and a portion of the IVC. The histologic findings indicated that the tumor was a leiomyosarcoma originating from the renal vein wall. The tumor cells were spindle-shaped and stained positive for desmin, caldesmon and HHF35. The post-operative course was uneventful and she was recurrence-free 20 months after surgery. In addition to presenting a case of a leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein, a short review of the literature is provided.

We have developed a microneedle formation method that has high needle height and density by forming indentations on a metal plate using a micro-machined silicon microneedle, called the “microindentation method.” When a silicon microneedle is used as an indenter that is stamped onto a metal plate and the formed indentation has the same shape as the Si microneedle formed by plastic deformation of metal plate, it is possible to fabricate a microneedle mold arranged in an array by repeating indentation formation while changing the position using a single silicon microneedle. In this research, we developed an indentation apparatus that repeatedly forms indentations on lead plates to successfully fabricate a high-density microneedle array that has the height of the silicon microneedle as the indenter.

We propose an easy-to-use energy-less respiration monitoring device for monitoring the breathing flow using a thermo-sensitive film. Thermo-sensitive film less than 0.01 mm thick with thermo-sensitive ink and a base film were wrapped over the aperture and partially produced in the tube for monitoring the breathing status. The aperture used as the respiration monitoring area, also worked as thermal isolation to shorten the response time and to decrease thermal capacity in the monitoring area. The response time was investigated using a response evaluation device (designed and produced using MEMS technology) to follow the temperature change with the breathing cycle of 0.3 Hz. The response time depended on the thickness of both the ink and the base film and decreased with the decrease of the thickness due to thermal capacity reduction. The obtained minimum response time was 373 ms when the ink thickness was 6.8 μm and the base film thickness was less than 5.0 μm. The color of the ink at the breathing monitoring area formed on the aperture successfully changed from blue to transparent according to the temperature change of the airflow.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is an autosomal recessive lung disease caused by a deficiency in the pulmonary epithelial Npt2b sodium-phosphate co-transporter that results in accumulation of phosphate and formation of hydroxyapatite microliths in the alveolar space. The single cell transcriptomic analysis of a PAM lung explant showing a robust osteoclast gene signature in alveolar monocytes and the finding that calcium phosphate microliths contain a rich protein and lipid matrix that includes bone resorbing osteoclast enzymes suggested a role for osteoclast-like cells in the defense against microliths. While investigating the mechanisms of microlith clearance, we found that Npt2b modulates pulmonary phosphate homeostasis through effects on alternative phosphate transporter activity and alveolar osteoprotegerin, and that microliths induce osteoclast formation and activity in a receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and dietary phosphate dependent manner. This work reveals that Npt2b and pulmonary osteoclast-like cells play key roles in pulmonary homeostasis and suggest potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of lung disease.

Multi-vital signs detection; respiration, heart rate, and body temperature from respiration airflow at the mouth was proposed, and three sensors patterns (flow-rate, - direction, and -temperature sensors) were formed on a single MEMS sensor. The small-sized tube type flow sensor was designed and fabricated to apply it the animal experiment, and its detection characteristics were experimentally evaluated. The flow rate sensor output followed the King's equation, and the response time of 50 ms was obtained to confirm the following oscillating breathing airflow measurement. Then, we confirmed that the fabricated sensor can measure the airflow whose temperature changes periodically. Finally, we conducted an animal experiment using rats, and confirmed that the fabricated sensor can measure three vital signs of respiration, heart rate, and body temperature from respiration.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported in a variety of diseases. Although ER stress can be detected using specific markers, it is still difficult to quantitatively evaluate the degree of stress and to identify the cause of the stress. The ER is the primary site for folding of secretory or transmembrane proteins as well as the site where glycosylation is initiated. This study therefore postulates that tracing the biosynthetic pathway of asparagine-linked glycans (

Continuously monitoring a patient body condition during large scale disasters requires vital information to be acquired quickly and easily to aid medical professionals. Breathing airflow, especially exhaled airflow, contains not only respiration but also body temperature information. Thus, a body temperature measurement method using exhaled airflow was proposed, and a temperature sensor was implemented into a thermal-type breathing airflow sensor to detect both respiration and body temperature information from breathing airflow alone. Both sensors were designed and fabricated by MEMS technologies. The temperature sensor operated with an input power of less than 0.5 mW to prevent self-heating, and we confirmed it can detect the air temperature with an accuracy of less than 1.0 °C under different temperature airflow conditions. The effects of the thermal airflow sensor on temperature measurements were also experimentally evaluated, and we concluded that the developed sensor can measure the airflow temperature with an accuracy of less than 0.5 °C. Finally, the developed sensors successfully detected periodical temperature changes in the airflow, mimicking human breathing.

We preivously developed a catheter type flow sensor for measuring breathing and heartbeat information from breathing at the mouth [Hasegawa et al. J Micromech Microeng 27(12): 125016, (2017); Kawaoka et al. Tech. Dig. IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Conference 2016, pp 359–362]. In this study, we redesigned and developed the new sensor configuraiton for the catheter flow sensor to downsize and improve the sensor characteristics. The previous flow sensor consists of two pairs of a heater and a temperature compensation sensor for flow rate detection. The two heaters also functioned not only for flow rate detection but also for flow direction detection. The two temperature compensation sensors had a large footprint and corresponded to each heater. Therefore, the sensor occupied a large area, and it was necessary to match the heater characteristics for flow rate detection. The newly designed sensor is composed of a set of a heater and a temperature compensation sensor and two flow direction sensors. By providing the new flow direction sensors, the number of temperature compensation sensors with a large footprint was reduced to one. Thus, the area of the new sensor design was 15.0 mm2, which was reduced to 54.5% of the 27.0 mm2 of the previous sensor area by providing the flow direction sensors. Then, the new catheter type flow sensor was fabricated, and the flow characteristics for measuring breathing funciton were evaluated. Finally, we applied the catheter type flow sensor to an animal experiment using a rat, and it could evaluate the flow rate characteristics of the rat’s breathing as a reciprocating flow including flow direction. Moreover, the obtained breathing characteristics were within the range of the physiological values of rats.

A micro-electro-mechanical systems flow sensor was integrated onto an optical fiberscope to enable in situ breathing and surface image evaluations in small airways. The tube flow sensor was developed to be easily attached to an optical fiberscope. Firstly, two heaters working as flow rate sensors were formed on thin film by using a lift-off process. Then the fabricated film sensor was assembled onto the outer tube surface by film transfer technology. The flow rate vs. sensor output characteristics under both the forward and backward flow conditions were confirmed to be coincident. Thanks to thermal capacity reduction by 1.0 μm-thickness film substrate and thermal isolation by cavity formation around the heaters, a short response time of less than 20 ms was obtained. This was sufficient to follow the temporal airflow rate change during breathing. The fabricated tube flow sensor was attached to the outside of a fiberscope 1.6 mm in diameter, and it was inserted into a tube that was connected to the airway of a rat. An optical image of the rat was captured, and its breathing airflow rate was successfully detected.

Since their early stages of development, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) have shown potential for breakthroughs in the fabrication of medical tools. The miniaturization of various devices using MEMS technology has enabled minimally invasive treatments and in situ measurements. In this paper, we introduce two advancements in MEMS applications in the medical field: (1) microneedle devices for brain activity evaluation, a transdermal drug delivery system, and biological fluid sampling; and (2) miniaturized MEMS sensors for monitoring the conditions inside blood vessels and respiratory organs. In addition, we provide a summary of MEMS sensors used in developing new drugs, detecting vital signs, and other applications.

We propose a smooth-surfaced flexible wall shear stress sensor fabricated by a newly developed thin film transfer technology to reveal the state of wall turbulence. This sensor consists of thin film types of thermal shear stress sensors and a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) mold structure. The sensor has a high spatial and temporal resolution comparable to that of the turbulence change because the micro-heaters of the sensing element were fabricated on thin parylene film less than 3 μm thick to reduce heat capacity, and a cavity for heat insulation was formed under the heaters. The sensor can precisely measure the wall shear stress thanks to the smooth sensor surface. In this study, we established the sensor fabrication process by using film transfer technology, and we fabricated three types of sensors with film thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 μm in order to confirm the change in response characteristics due to the differences in film thickness. We evaluated the response characteristics and the shear stress detection function of the fabricated sensors. As a result, the cut-off frequency became faster as the film sensor thickness became thinner—it was 1221 Hz with a 0.5-μm thick sensor. In addition, the square of the sensor output E 2 was proportional to the shear stress to the 0.85-th power τ 0.85 .

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal pulmonary disease with poor prognosis. Pirfenidone, the first antifibrotic drug, suppresses the decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and improves prognosis in some, but not all, patients with IPF; therefore, an indicator for identifying improved outcomes in pirfenidone therapy is desirable. This study aims to clarify whether baseline parameters can be predictors of disease progression and prognosis in patients with IPF treated with pirfenidone. Methods We retrospectively investigated patients with IPF who started treatment with pirfenidone between December 2008 and November 2014 at the Sapporo Medical University Hospital. Patients treated with pirfenidone for ≥6 months were enrolled in this study and were observed until November 2015. We investigated the association of clinical characteristics, pulmonary function test results, and blood examination results at the start of pirfenidone with the outcome of patients. Results Sixty patients were included in this study. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, % predicted FVC and serum surfactant protein (SP)-D levels were predictors of a ≥10% decline in FVC in the initial 12 months. In the Cox proportional hazards model, these two factors predicted progression-free survival. Pack-years, % predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and SP-D levels predicted overall survival. Conclusions The serum SP-D level was a predictor of disease progression and prognosis in patients with IPF treated with pirfenidone. In addition, this analysis describes the relative usefulness of other clinical parameters at baseline in estimating the prognosis of patients with IPF who are candidates for pirfenidone therapy.

We inserted a tubular flow sensor incorporating micro-electro-mechanical systems technologies directly into the rat airway and analyzed the airflow waveforms obtained under different depths of anaesthesia conditions by using discrete Fourier transformation (DFT) to evaluate the heartbeat frequency. The electrocardiogram (ECG) signal was used as the reference heartbeat frequency. The calibration curve of the flow sensor used to measure the oscillating airflow in the rat airway was determined on the basis of King’s law. The airflow waveform at the rat airway caused by only the heartbeat was measured by applying deep anaesthesia; the waveform frequency coincided with the simultaneously measured ECG signal frequency. DFT analysis of the airflow signals measured under deep and shallow anaesthesia conditions verified the fundamental heartbeat frequency values. The airflow components related to heartbeat motion were successfully extracted by using the heartbeat frequency spectrum. The respiration and heartbeat signals were thus successfully detected.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a multifunctional host defense collectin that was first identified as a component of pulmonary surfactant. Although SP-A is also expressed in various tissues, including the urinary tract, its innate immune functions in nonpulmonary tissues are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) to the bladder was enhanced in SP-A–deficient mice, which suggests that SP-A plays an important role in innate immunity against UPEC. To understand the innate immune functions of SP-A in detail, we performed in vitro experiments. SP-A directly bound to UPEC in a Ca2+-dependent manner, but it did not agglutinate UPEC. Our results suggest that a bouquet-like arrangement seems unsuitable to agglutinate UPEC. Meanwhile, SP-A inhibited growth of UPEC in human urine. Furthermore, the binding of SP-A to UPEC decreased the adherence of bacteria to urothelial cells. These results indicate that direct action of SP-A on UPEC is important in host defense against UPEC. Additionally, adhesion of UPEC to urothelial cells was decreased when the cells were preincubated with SP-A. Adhesion of UPEC to urothelial cells is achieved via interaction between FimH, an adhesin located at bacterial pili, and uroplakin Ia, a glycoprotein expressed on the urothelium. SP-A directly bound to uroplakin Ia and competed with FimH for uroplakin Ia binding. These results lead us to conclude that SP-A plays important roles in host defense against UPEC.

A micro-machined flow sensor and a stent were integrated to enable evaluation of the in-situ breathing properties in the air passage of experimental animals. A tube flow sensor that operates on the thermal principle was fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems technology, and a newly designed stent structure was fabricated using photolithography and wet etching processes. The fabricated flow sensor and stent were integrated via connection areas formed on both elements. The developed stent flow sensor device was positioned at the center of the tube's cross-section by expanding the stent. The flow rate detection property was evaluated to obtain calibration curves for use in converting the sensor output value into a flow rate waveform. Testing using an artificial ventilator demonstrated that the stent flow sensor device can be placed in the air passage of small animals to detect the breathing airflow directly. A potential application is the development of new drugs.

A novel catheter sensor system was developed for performing in-situ breathing measurements and optical imaging in the bronchus of the lung. A tube flow sensor was fabricated by attaching sensor film to a tube with the diameter of 2.0 mm. Medical basket forceps were inserted into the space inside the tube flow sensor in order to fix its position in the airway. The flow sensor and optical fiberscope were installed together in a tube 5.0 mm in diameter. The resulting catheter sensor system was inserted into a rabbit airway by using an optical fiberscope, and it could directly and simultaneously measure the breathing airflow volume and take images of the inside surface of the rabbit airway.

A MEMS flow sensor, an electrical wiring, and a flow tube structure were integrated onto the same substrate, for the first time. A Cu on polyimide (COP) was used as the sensor substrate. First, both sensor devices composed of a heater working as flow velocity sensor and a temperature sensor, and electrical wiring were fabricated in the same substrate. The signal lines in the sensor device were automatically connected to the electrical wiring formed into the Cu layer during the fabrication to eliminate an electrical bonding process. Finally, the tube structure was successfully integrated with the same substrate of the sensor device and the wiring to deform a part of COP substrate plastically. Flow detection and response time of fabricated flow sensor were evaluated as the basic characteristics. Besides, it was applied in the breathing flow measurements in rat, as one of the applications, and the breathing airflow at the rat was directly detected.

A novel type four-sided tip-separable microneedle device with a large barb was proposed for separating a needle tip easily during the skin insertion in the trans-dermal drug delivery systems. The proposed microneedle device was composed of a sharp needle tip and a base one, and the former was placed on the latter with the 45° off rotation angle in the needle axis for increasing the barb area in the tip needle. A symmetry property of a single crystallographic Si(100) substrate was applied to produce two Si master needles producing both tip and base needle structures respectively, and they were fabricated by anisotropic wet etching. Finally, a polymer based four-sided tip-separable microneedle device with the large barb was successfully produced by applying a mold process to the fabricated two Si master needles.

Human β-defensin 3 (hBD3) is known to be involved in mast cell activation. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of hBD3-induced mast cell activation have been poorly understood. We previously reported that SP-A and SP-A-derived peptide 01 (SAP01) regulate the function of hBD3. In this study, we focused on the effects of SP-A and SAP01 on the activation of mast cells induced by hBD3. SAP01 directly bound to hBD3. Mast cell-mediated vascular permeability and edema in hBD3 administered rat ears were decreased when injected with SP-A or SAP01. Compatible with the results in rat ear model, both SP-A and SAP01 inhibited hBD3-induced chemotaxis of mast cells in vitro. Direct interaction between SP-A or SAP01 and hBD3 seemed to be responsible for the inhibitory effects on chemotaxis. Furthermore, SAP01 attenuated hBD3-induced accumulation of mast cells and eosinophils in tracheas of the OVA-sensitized inflammatory model. SP-A might contribute to the regulation of inflammatory responses mediated by mast cells during infection.