The lung provides an extensive surface area mediating gas exchange between epithelial cells and the capillaries in the alveolus. Since lung cells are in direct contact with environmental gases and ...

Surfactant protein A (SP-A)and SP-D are members of a family of immune proteins known as collectins, or collagen-like lectins. SP-A and SP-D interact with various pathogens through their lectin domains ...

The primary function of the surfactant is to decrease the surface tension at the air–liquid interface in the alveoli and distal bronchioles, to promote lung expansion during inspiration and to prevent ...

Preclinical studies suggest that exogenous surfactant may be of value in the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and two phase 2 clinical trials have shown a trend toward ...

A nationwide study led by researchers at UCSF provides evidence that inhaled nitric oxide is safe and effective for the prevention of the most common type of long-term lung disease of very premature ...

Physicians have known for decades that many premature babies suffer respiratory problems stemming from insufficiency of a lung substance called surfactant during their first few weeks of life. The ...

The most important lung function is to take oxygen from the environment and transfer it to the bloodstream. Lung function tests can show how well the lungs carry out this task. The left and right ...

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers discuss the role of a surfactant-mediated inflammatory response employed by human lungs against the severe acute respiratory ...