Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

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

4.0K

Diseases of pulmonary surfactant homeostasis

Jeffrey A Whitsett1, Susan E Wert, Timothy E Weaver

  • 1Divisions of Neonatology, Perinatal Biology, and Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229; email: jeff.whitsett@cchmc.org , susan.wert@cchmc.org , tim.weaver@cchmc.org.

Annual Review of Pathology
|January 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary surfactant, crucial for lung function, is key in treating respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. Genetic defects in surfactant homeostasis cause severe lung diseases in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary physiology and biochemistry
  • Molecular and cellular biology

Background:

  • Pulmonary surfactant is vital for lung function, especially in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Advances have identified key components like surfactant proteins and regulatory networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pulmonary surfactant system.
  • To explore genetic causes of lung disease linked to disrupted alveolar homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of physiological and biochemical studies.
  • Analysis of genetic mutations affecting surfactant homeostasis.
  • Insights from biophysical and transgenic mouse models.

Main Results:

  • Understanding of molecular processes regulating surfactant production and function.
  • Association of gene mutations with severe neonatal lung disease.
  • Elucidation of mechanisms in surfactant protein and alveolar homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • The pulmonary surfactant system is critical for lung health.
  • Genetic disruptions in surfactant homeostasis lead to significant lung pathologies.
  • This knowledge aids in understanding and potentially treating diverse pulmonary disorders.

Keywords:
alveolar capillary dysplasiaalveolar proteinosisinterstitial lung diseasepulmonary alveolar microlithiasispulmonary fibrosisrespiratory distress syndrome

More Related Videos

Lavage-induced Surfactant Depletion in Pigs As a Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARDS07:20

Lavage-induced Surfactant Depletion in Pigs As a Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARDS

Published on: September 7, 2016

11.8K
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

858

Related Concept Videos

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...
67.2K
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
5.2K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
5.3K
Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology01:18

Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology

Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial and alveolar spaces of the lungs, impairing gas exchange and oxygen delivery. It may be cardiogenic or noncardiogenic, but both reduce oxygenation and lung compliance.Cardiogenic Pulmonary EdemaCardiogenic edema results from increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, usually due to left ventricular dysfunction from myocardial infarction, heart failure, or valvular disease. Ineffective cardiac pumping causes blood to...
2
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
2
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation01:19

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
3.8K