Research advances in the composition and function of pulmonary surfactant

Abstract

Pulmonary surfactant (PS) has been routinely used to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). PS is a complex composed of lipids and various surfactant protein (SP). In recent years, basic and clinical studies have gained a deeper understanding of the composition of PS and the function of each component. The complex lipid composition of PS shapes its unique physical properties. SP-A and SP-D are not only the components of PS, but also distribute in the extrapulmonary tissues to defend against various pathogens and maintain the immune homeostasis. There are differences in the composition and properties of various kinds of natural preparations of PS, which results in different manifestations in terms of the efficacy and prognosis of NRDS patients. However, there is still no conclusion as to which natural preparation of PS has more advantages. In order to avoid the infection risk and immune rejection reactions risk of PS natural preparations and reduce the economic cost of drugs, the research and development of PS artificial preparations have become a hot spot. At present, studies on the composition and function of PS mostly focus on SP-B and SP-C and their roles in the pathogenesis of NRDS. This study involves PS lipid components and other types of SP, which have received little attention before. The composition and function of PS are comprehensively and fully discussed. At the same time, the latest PS artificial preparations are introduced, which provides a new understanding for the clinical application of PS in treating NRDS infants. Key words: Pulmonary surfactant-associated proteins; Respiratory distress syndrome, newborn; Principal component analysis; Collectins; Function; Pharmaceutical preparations; Infant, newborn