The pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of proteins and lipids. It is secreted from type II epithelial cell and helps to reduce the air-liquid interface’s surface tension. It pulls water molecules apart. If this pull becomes too strong, the cells of the alveoli will collapse and your lungs will be unable to fill with enough air.
Surfactant acts by lowering the surface tension in the water at the interface air-liquid. By lowering this surface tension, the alveolar sacs do not collapse at the end of the exhalation. It also plays an important role in fighting pathogens and modulating the immune response. Surfactant acts as a protective barrier to viral and bacterial infections.
To protect the alveoli from collapse, the pulmonary surfactant covers them. Without the surfactant, alveoli would collapse and prevent airflow from reaching the lungs. Alveolar macrophages are cells that protect alveoli against foreign particles. They are located on the inside of air cavities. These particles can include bacteria, dust, and blood cells that are injured.
The surface tension of the alveoli influences the pressure that air moves through them. Low surfactant can cause alveoli to collapse and damage hyaline membranes that line the airways. This makes breathing harder. This is known as hyaline membrane. It develops in newborns who have low levels of surfactant.
The surfactant helps to prevent the collapse of the alveoli by reducing the surface tension at the air-water interface. The surfactant reduces work associated with breathing by helping the alveoli to resist collapse. It is an effective treatment for RDS in preterm infants but has not been proven to be effective for adults with ARDS. Surfactant replacement therapy is being investigated for its potential role as a treatment for other diseases, such as inflammatory and infectious.