Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Pulmonary surfactant in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis: the role in pathogenesis and clinical implications

Eliane Roseli Barreira1, Alexander Roberto Precioso, Albert Bousso

  • 1University Hospital, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. eliane@hu.usp.br.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|January 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis impacts infant health, potentially leading to asthma. Changes in pulmonary surfactant, including SP-A and SP-D, may worsen RSV disease, suggesting surfactant replacement as a novel therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a major cause of infant hospitalization and linked to childhood asthma.
  • Current treatments for severe RSV bronchiolitis are limited to supportive care and mechanical ventilation.
  • Pulmonary surfactant, crucial for lung function, and its proteins SP-A and SP-D, integral to innate immunity, are implicated in RSV pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on pulmonary surfactant alterations in severe RSV bronchiolitis.
  • To analyze the relationship between surfactant changes, inflammation, and immune response in RSV.
  • To explore the potential of pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy for RSV bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing evidence.
  • Examination of the role of surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D in viral clearance and inflammation.
  • Assessment of studies investigating pulmonary surfactant composition changes in RSV patients.

Main Results:

  • Severe RSV bronchiolitis is associated with significant changes in pulmonary surfactant content and composition.
  • Deficiencies in surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D may impair viral clearance and exacerbate inflammation.
  • Evidence suggests a link between altered surfactant and the severity of RSV-induced lung disease.

Conclusions:

  • Pulmonary surfactant plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of severe RSV bronchiolitis.
  • Understanding surfactant's role in immunity and inflammation could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
  • Pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy presents a potential novel treatment approach for severe RSV bronchiolitis.

Keywords:
bronchiolitishumanpulmonary surfactantsrespiratory syncytial virus

More Related Videos

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses11:48

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses

Published on: April 4, 2019

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...