Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. No gene product (mRNA or protein) is detected by Northern or Western blot analysis of lung tissue from homozygous mice. Homozygotes are more susceptible (pneumonia and sepsis) to group B streptococcal, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenzae infections due to impaired bacteria clearance. Alveolar macrophages have impaired superoxide radical production. Administration of surfactant protein A increases phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages. When experimentally infected with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza A, homozygotes have increased viral titer, pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine levels. This mutant mouse strain represents a model that may be useful in studies of host defense against respiratory pathogens and innate immune function.
In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. This is the case for the strain above. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

These Sftpa1 knock-out mice are more susceptible to group B streptococcal infections due to impaired bacteria clearance.

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