Therapeutic use of surfactant components in allergic asthma

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2009 Mar;379(3):217-24. doi: 10.1007/s00210-008-0354-z. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins that reduces the surface tension at the air-liquid interface. In addition to its biophysical function, some surfactant components play an important role for the innate and adaptive immunity of the lung. A negative modulation of the surfactant function was observed in allergic asthma leading to the assumption that the therapeutic application of surfactant components might be beneficial in this disease. So far, there are a number of preclinical and already some clinical studies demonstrating various effects of different surfactant components that were administered with preventive or therapeutic aim in allergic asthma. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the possibilities to treat allergic asthma with surfactant components.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antigen Presentation / drug effects
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / immunology
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / chemistry
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / therapeutic use*
  • Respiratory System / drug effects
  • Respiratory System / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
  • Pulmonary Surfactants