Direct SP-D interactions with immune (such as alveolar macrophages [2]) and non-immune cells [3] can protect against immune pathologies such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD): SP-D-deficient (SP-D-/-) mice develop spontaneous chronic lung inflammation and emphysema [4], which can be prevented by recombinant SP-D replacement [5]. Here, SFTPD is linked to pulmonary emphysema.