What are type II pneumocytes?

Type II pneumocytes are identified as the synthesizing cells of the alveolar surfactant, which has important properties in maintaining alveolar and airway stability. Lung surfactant can reduce the surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse and the airway walls collapse.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 alveolar cells?

Type 1 pneumocytes are thin flattened cells that are responsible for the gas exchange between alveoli and capillaries. Type 2 pneumocytes are smaller cells that are cuboidal in shape. They are responsible for the secretion of pulmonary surfactants in order to reduce the surface tension in the alveoli.

What is surfactant therapy used for?

Many clinical trials have demonstrated that surfactant replacement therapy is a safe, effective and beneficial treatment as it significantly reduces respiratory morbidity (air leaks, pulmonary interstitial emphysema), ventilatory requirements and mortality in these neonates.

What are the functions of Pneumocyte 1 and Pneumocyte II?

The type I pneumocytes form part of the barrier across which gas exchange occurs. They can be identified as thin, squamous cells whose most obvious feature is their nuclei. Type II pneumocytes are larger, cuboidal cells and occur more diffusely than type I cells.

Are there more type 1 or type 2 pneumocytes?

Type II pneumocytes are much less prevalent in each alveolus, found in between type I pneumocytes. These cells are large and cuboidal with apical microvilli. Within their cytoplasm are characteristic lamellar bodies containing a surfactant, a substance secreted that decreases the surface tension of alveoli.

What do type I and type II alveolar cells do?

Typically, type 1 alveolar cells comprise the major gas exchange surface of the alveolus and are integral to the maintenance of the permeability barrier function of the alveolar membrane. Type 2 pneumocytes are the progenitors of type 1 cells and are responsible for surfactant production and homeostasis.

What is the purpose of type 2 alveolar cells?

Four major functions have been attributed to alveolar type II cells: (1) synthesis and secretion of surfactant; (2) xenobiotic metabolism; (3) transepithelial movement of water; and (4) regeneration of the alveolar epithelium following lung injury.

When should surfactant be given?

Ideally the dose should be given within 1 hr of birth but definitely before 2 hours of age. A repeat dose should be given within 4 – 12 hours if the patient is still intubated and requiring more than 30 to 40% oxygen.

What are complications of surfactant therapy?

6.2 Physiologic complications of surfactant replacement therapy include:

• 1 apnea.
• 2 pulmonary hemorrhage from right to left shunting.
• 3 increased necessity for treatment for patent ductus arteriosus.
• 4 marginal increase in retinopathy of prematurity.

What is pneumocytes function?

Pneumocyte: One of the cells lining the alveoli (the air sacs) in the lung. The alveoli are, in fact, lined with two types of cells termed the type 1 and type 2 pneumocytes: Type 1 pneumocyte: The cell responsible for the gas (oxygen and carbon dioxide) exchange that takes place in the alveoli.

Where are type 2 pneumocytes found?

the alveoli
Type II pneumocytes were found to be preferentially located on thick elastic fibers which formed the main structural framework of the alveoli in humans.

What is the function of type 2 alveolar cells?

What do type 2 alveolar cells secrete?

Alveolar type II cells secrete a lipoprotein material called surfactant, whose primary function is to reduce the surface tension in the alveoli.

What is the function of type II cells?

Type II cells are defenders of the alveoli by secreting surfactant, keeping the alveolar space relatively free from fluid, serving as progenitor cells to repopulate the epithelium after injury, and providing important components of the innate immune system.

What are type 1 and type 2 epithelial cells?

Type 1 epithelial cells cover the greatest area of the alveolar surface, while type 2 cells function to synthesize and secrete surfactant material in the form of lamellar bodies and also secrete other proteins.

Why is surfactant given to premature babies?

Babies born without enough surfactant are said to have respiratory distress syndrome or RDS. Surfactant replacement therapy for premature babies acts to keep the alveoli from sticking together, and is supplemented with oxygen or ventilation to help the baby breathe.

How is newborn surfactant given?

The surfactant is administered via a thin catheter into the trachea in small aliquots, while the baby is spontaneously breathing on CPAP support. In infants 29-32 weeks gestation, LISA may reduce the occurrence of pneumothorax and need for mechanical ventilation.

What age can you give surfactant?

≥24 weeks’ gestational age: 1 For infants intubated immediately after birth, it is recommended that surfactant be given as early treatment (<2 h of age), except if the infant is on room air and minimal ventilatory support on neonatal intensive care unit admission.

How many times can you give surfactant?

Infants with RDS who have persistent or recurrent oxygen and ventilatory requirements within the first 72 h of life should have repeated doses of surfactant. Administering more than three doses has not been shown to have a benefit (grade A).

Where are pneumocytes found?

Occasionally within the alveoli, one can typically see type II pneumocytes. They are not as abundant within the alveoli. These cells are large and cuboidal or round and mostly concentrated in the alveoli septum. Granules containing surfactant are visible within the cytoplasm.

What is the function of type 2 pneumocytes in alveoli of lungs?

The main function of type 2 pneumocytes is the production of pulmonary surfactant: Surfactant is a complex mixture of phospholipids (mainly dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine), carbohydrates (glycosaminoglycans) and proteins (including SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D)

What is the role of the surfactant in the alveoli?

“Medical Physiology” Elsevier (2016)

What cells of the alveolar that produces surfactant?

Identification of genetic modifiers influencing the pathogenesis of surfactant and type II cell-related disorders.

Why is surfactant required in alveolar tissue?

What is the role of surfactant in the alveoli? Lung surfactant is vital because it coats the alveoli to reduce surface tension and thus prevents atelectasis during respiration. The surfactant is fortified with a relatively unique phospholipid called dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and four surfactant-associated proteins, SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D.

What are the alveoli and how do they work?

– increases surface area in the lungs so gaseous exchange happens at a higher rate – contains elastic tissue which recoils to expel air from the lungs during exhalation – is lined with an extensive blood supply and thin squamous tissue so that the diffusion distance from the interior of the alveolus to the blood is short for gases for