To assess the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in pulmonary function in the postnatal period, we generated transgenic mice in which a soluble FGF receptor (FGFR-HFc) was conditionally expressed in respiratory epithelial cells of the mouse lung, thereby inhibiting FGF activity. Although FGFR-HFc did not alter postnatal lung morphogenesis, male FGFR-HFc transgenic mice were more s...

In this study the importance of a low-weight surfactant protein (11 kDa) is demonstrated by selectively blocking this protein with a monoclonal antibody. In adult rats respiratory failure was induced by repeated bronchoalveolar lavage to remove all pulmonary surfactant. It was shown that surfactant mixed with the antibody was not capable of restoring lung function when compared with surfactant ...

PURPOSE Exogenous surfactant is not very effective in adults with ARDS, since surfactant does not reach atelectatic alveoli. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) can recruit atelectatic areas but do not replace impaired endogenous surfactant. A surfactant-PFC-mixture could combine benefits of both therapies. The aim of the proof-of-principal-study was to produce a PFC-in-surfactant emulsion (Persurf) and to ...

Surfactant proteins (SP) have been studied intensively in the respiratory system. Surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D are proteins belonging to the family of collectins each playing a major role in the innate immune system. The ability of surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D to bind various pathogens and facilitate their elimination has been described in a vast number of stud...

BACKGROUND Extensive biochemical and biophysical changes of the pulmonary surfactant system occur in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS The effect of intrabronchial administration of a recombinant surfactant protein C-based surfactant preparation (Venticute) on gas exchange, surfactant composition and function was investigated in 31 patients with ARDS in a randomised cont...

The mechanism of surfactant-induced cell lysis has been studied with quantitative coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy. The dynamics of surfactant molecules as well as intracellular biomolecules in living Chinese Hamster Lung (CHL) cells has been examined for a low surfactant concentration (0.01 w%). By using an isotope labeled surfactant having CD bonds, surfactant up...