Pulmonary surfactant and lung transplantation

Pulmonary surfactant lowers the surface tension at the air-water interface inside the alveolus. This is achieved by adsorption of surfactant phospholipids at the air-water interface, a process controlled by surfactant-associated proteins, such as SP-A. In this way, surfactant prevents collapse of the alveolus at end expiration, prevents formation of alveolar edema and increases the compliance of the lung. In chapter 1a an overview is given how the normal function of surfactant can be affected by lung transplantation. ... Zie: Summary