Respiratory Epithelium and Pulmonary Surfactant

Alveolar Cells and Lung Surfactant

Director: Prof. Cristina Casals

Our laboratory has studied the pulmonary surfactant system under normal and pathological conditions for more than 20 years. The main lines of research are:

• Membrane biochemistry and biophysics.

• Structure-function relationships in surfactant proteins.

• Role of pulmonary surfactant in lung physiopathology.

These studies employ an array of techniques including biophysical, biochemical, immunological, cellular, and physiological.

Key words:

Membranes, monolayers, SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, collectins, lipid-protein interaction, protein-protein interaction, collagen, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, beta-(1,3) glucan, FK506, KL4, alveolar macrophages, type II cells, innate immune defence, acute lung injury, and lung transplantation.

Public Funding:

National Program of Research and Development

Spanish Research Center of Respiratory Diseases

Autonomous Community of Madrid-Innovation and Research System

Private Funding:

Nycomed GmbH, Germany

Fujisawa GmbH, Gernany

Laboratorios Dr. Esteve, Barcelona

Fundación MM, Madrid