The ₂ integrin receptors (CD11a/CD18, CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18) are expressed on the surface of alveolar macrophages and are important for the phagocytic clearance of pathogens. In the present study, we demonstrate that SP-D modulates surface expression of CD11b and CD11c, but not CD11a or CD18 on alveolar macrophages. While cell surface receptors were reduced, CD11b and CD11c mRNAs were increased by SP-D deficiency. CCSP-rtTA⁺/(tetO)⁷-rSPD⁺/SP-D^-/- mice, which conditionally express SP-D in the lung, were used to study the kinetics and reversibility of ₂ integrin receptors in response to changes in alveolar SP-D. Surface CD11b and CD11c were reduced on the alveolar macrophages within three days of SP-D deficiency and were restored with 3 days for CD11b and 7 days for CD11c of repletion of SP-D. SP-D deficiency caused a loss of cellular CD11b and CD11c content indicating that the decrease in total cell content of the receptors was related to degradation rather than to redistribution of the receptor within the macrophage. CD11b and CD11c staining co-localized with Lamp-1 during SP-D deficiency supporting the concept that reduced macrophage receptor levels resulted from increased lysosomal trafficking. Hydroxychloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent, prevented the reduction of cellular and surface CD11b and CD11c. SP-D regulates surface CD11b and CD11c levels on the alveolar macrophage by modulating receptor trafficking, providing a mechanism by which SP-D mediates phagocytic activity in the alveolar macrophage.