Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

The present invention provides a fusion protein comprising: i) a solubility-enhancing moiety which is derived from the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein; and ii) a C-type lectin polypeptide. The present invention also provides a truncated SP-A polypeptide which lacks the N-terminal domain of full SP-A and is capable of trimerisation, and to the use of such a truncated SP-A polypeptide in treating or preventing a disease.

Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

The invention relates to a polyribonucleotide with a sequence that codes a protein or protein fragment, wherein the polyribonucleotide comprises a combination of unmodified and modified nucleotides, wherein 5 to 50% of the uridine nucleotides and 5 to 50% of the cytidin nucleotides are modified uridine nucleotides or modified cytidin nucleotides.

The invention relates to a polyribonucleotide with a sequence that codes a protein or protein fragment, wherein the polyribonucleotide comprises a combination of unmodified and modified nucleotides, wherein 5 to 50% of the uridine nucleotides and 5 to 50% of the cytidin nucleotides are modified uridine nucleotides or modified cytidin nucleotides.

Peptides suitable for preparation of lung surfactants are described. Examples include one that include a first fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of XWLXRALIKRIQAZI (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a first amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of RZLPQLVXRLVLRXS (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a second amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein X is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the X positions is not cysteine, or Z is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the Z positions is not methionine. Surfactants that contain such peptides, and related compositions, methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Peptides suitable for preparation of lung surfactants are described. Examples include one that include a first fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of XWLXRALIKRIQAZI (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a first amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of RZLPQLVXRLVLRXS (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a second amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein X is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the X positions is not cysteine, or Z is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the Z positions is not methionine. Surfactants that contain such peptides, and related compositions, methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

The present invention in particular relates to the field of micro- and nanoparticles, more in particular to coated nanoparticles. The coatings of the present invention in particular comprise surfactant protein B (SP-B) and one or more lipids. The invention further relates to such coated particles and compositions comprising them for use as a medicament, in particular for use in the treatment of various disorders. Furthermore, the invention provides the use of the compositions of the current invention for delivering one or more agents, such as small interfacing RNA (siRNA) molecules, to the target tissue or cells.

The present invention is directed respirable, dry powder particle formulations of lung surfactants that optionally comprise surfactant proteins and that are formulated for delivery to the pulmonary system via inhalation.