Lung surfactant in subacute pulmonary disease.
Pulmonary surfactant is a surface active material composed of both lipids and proteins that is produced by alveolar type II pneumocytes. Abnormalities of surfactant in the immature lung or in the acutely inflamed mature lung are well described. However, in a variety of subacute diseases of the mature lung, abnormalities of lung surfactant may also be of importance. These diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and alveolar proteinosis. Understanding of the mechanisms that disturb the lung surfactant system may lead to novel rational therapies for these diseases.
Devendra
Gehan
G
University of California, San Diego, California, USA.
Spragg
Roger G
RG
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants