Internalization of surfactant protein A (SP-A) into lamellar bodies of rat alveolar type II cells in vitro.

Pulmonary surfactant is thought to be internalized and processed for reuse by alveolar Type II cells. In the present study we followed the internalization and intracellular trafficking of purified surfactant protein A (SP-A) by primary cultures of alveolar Type II cells. Internalization of native rat SP-A was compared with that of recombinant rat and human SP-A isolated from a patient with alveolar proteinosis. All SP-A species were conjugated with colloidal gold for visualization by electron microscopy. The gold conjugates were biologically active, as demonstrated by inhibition of phospholipid secretion from alveolar Type II cells. The SP-A-gold conjugates were internalized to lamellar bodies (LB) via the endosomal system, which included both electron-lucent and -dense multivesicular bodies. Labeling of LB was time dependent, and after 7 hr 30-40% of these organelles were labeled. Alkylation of SP-A greatly reduced internalization, as did an excess of non-conjugated SP-A. No qualitative differences in uptake were observed with the three forms of SP-A. The percent of labeled LB was similar (30-40%) after 7 hr of internalization with the three species of SP-A. The recombinant SP-A produced using a baculovirus vector lacked hydroxyproline and had an altered oligosaccharide, but these features did not affect its internalization or the rate of LB labeling. Internalization of the gold-conjugated SP-A and endocytosis of the fluid-phase marker Lucifer Yellow were related to the shape of Type II cells. Both uptake of SP-A, which is receptor mediated, and fluid-phase endocytosis were found to be less active in the flattened than in the rounded cells. Therefore, cell shape and hence cytoskeletal organization may play an important role in SP-A recycling. However, it is possible that both morphology and decreased endocytosis are independent manifestations related to the loss of differentiated function of cultured Type II cells.