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Multicellular Human Alveolar Model Composed of Epithelial Cells and Primary Immune Cells for Hazard Assessment
Published on: May 6, 2020
Pulmonary surfactant metabolism in the alveolar airspace: Biogenesis, extracellular conversions, recycling
Bárbara Olmeda1, Marta Martínez-Calle1, Jesus Pérez-Gil1
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, and Research Institute "Hospital 12 de Octubre", Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Pulmonary surfactant is a lipid-protein complex that lines and stabilizes the respiratory interface in the alveoli, allowing for gas exchange during the breathing cycle. At the same time, surfactant constitutes the first line of lung defense against pathogens. This review presents an updated view on the processes involved in biogenesis and intracellular processing of newly synthesized and recycled surfactant components, as well as on the extracellular surfactant transformations before and after the formation of the surface active film at the air-water interface. Special attention is paid to the crucial regulation of surfactant homeostasis, because its disruption is associated with several lung pathologies.
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