# Modulation of Pulmonary Fibrosis by Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Phosphatidylethanolamine In Vitro and In Vivo

## TL;DR

This study explores how a modified surfactant can reduce lung scarring and improve lung function in fibrosis.

## Contribution

A natural porcine surfactant enriched with phosphatidylethanolamine is shown to reduce fibrosis in vitro and in vivo.

## Key findings

- NPPS-PE reduced collagen expression and induced apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts.
- In mice, NPPS-PE improved gas exchange and reduced collagen deposition after bleomycin treatment.

## Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterized by excessive collagen deposition and impaired lung function. Pulmonary surfactant may modulate fibroblast activity and offer therapeutic benefits. We developed a natural porcine pulmonary surfactant (NPPS) enriched with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and evaluated its biophysical and biological properties. Biophysical analysis showed that PE improved surfactant performance by increasing surface pressure and stability. In vitro, NPPS-PE reduced collagen expression and induced apoptosis in normal human lung fibroblasts; in addition, it decreased proliferation in fibroblasts stimulated with TGF-β. In vivo, NPPS-PE improved gas exchange and significantly reduced collagen deposition in bleomycin-treated mice. These findings suggest that NPPS-PE may be a promising therapeutic strategy for fibrosing lung diseases.