The role of surfactant in asthma.
Pulmonary surfactant is a unique mixture of lipids and surfactant-specific proteins that covers the entire alveolar surface of the lungs. Surfactant is not restricted to the alveolar compartment; it also reaches terminal conducting airways and is present in upper airway secretions. While the role of surfactant in the alveolar compartment has been intensively elucidated both in health and disease states, the possible role of surfactant in the airways requires further research. This review summarizes the current knowledge on surfactant functions regarding the airway compartment and highlights the impact of various surfactant components on allergic inflammation in asthma.
Hohlfeld
Jens M
JM
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research, Hannover, Germany. hohlfeld.jens@mh-hannover.de
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013500:Surface Tension / Q000187:drug effects
D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants