An overview of pulmonary surfactant in the neonate: genetics, metabolism, and the role of surfactant in health and disease
PO Nkadi, TA Merritt, DAM Pillers - Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2009 - Elsevier
Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of phospholipids (PL) and proteins (SP) that
reduce surface tension at the air–liquid interface of the alveolus. It is made up of about 70–
80% PL, mainly dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 10% SP-A, B, C and D, and 10%
neutral lipids, mainly cholesterol. Surfactant is synthesized, assembled, transported and
secreted into the alveolus where it is degraded and then recycled. Metabolism of surfactant
is slower in newborns, especially preterm, than in adults. Defective pulmonary surfactant …
reduce surface tension at the air–liquid interface of the alveolus. It is made up of about 70–
80% PL, mainly dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 10% SP-A, B, C and D, and 10%
neutral lipids, mainly cholesterol. Surfactant is synthesized, assembled, transported and
secreted into the alveolus where it is degraded and then recycled. Metabolism of surfactant
is slower in newborns, especially preterm, than in adults. Defective pulmonary surfactant …