title: Structure-function relationships in pulmonary surfactant membranes: from biophysics to therapy.
abstract: Pulmonary surfactant is an essential lipid-protein complex to maintain an operative respiratory surface at the mammalian lungs. It reduces surface tension at the alveolar air-liquid interface to stabilise the lungs against physical forces operating along the compression-expansion breathing cycles. At the same time, surfactant integrates elements establishing a primary barrier against the entry of pathogens. Lack or deficiencies of the surfactant system are associated with respiratory pathologies, which treatment often includes supplementation with exogenous materials. The present review summarises current models on the molecular mechanisms of surfactant function, with particular emphasis in its biophysical properties to stabilise the lungs and the molecular alterations connecting impaired surfactant with diseased organs. It also provides a perspective on the current surfactant-based strategies to treat respiratory pathologies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy.
authors: Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in End Stage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research, Hannover, Germany.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Lopez-Rodriguez
authors: Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Pérez-Gil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013500:Surface Tension
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants
keywords: ARDS; Air–liquid interface; Lipid–protein interactions; Lung; Membrane domains; Surface tension