The Role of Pulmonary Surfactant in COVID-19 Understanding

Background: In Covid-19 the virus infects the respiratory tract in human. When lung tissue becomes diseased, the walls and lining of the alveoli and capillaries are damaged. At this point lung compliance and ventilation decrease. Pulmonary surfactant that is produced and dispersed into alveolar space, has a significant role in understanding how heavily covid-19 interferes and infects lung cells. The importance of pulmonary surfactant in alveoli is to lower surface tension at air/liquid interface in the lung. This is achieved by reducing the work of breathing and preventing alveolar collapse. The main constituent of pulmonary surfactant is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) (C40H80NO8P). It is a phospholipid containing two non polar palmitic acid C16 chains as hydrophobic tails linked to a polar head group of a phosphatidylcholine (also known as lecithin).

Rationale of the Review and Objective Method: When DPPC molecules are in contact with a polar solvent, micelles which grow further into bilayers are formed considering their cylindrical structures. This trait makes the whole structure of pulmonary surfactant as amphipathic and surface active molecules. The head group of phosphatidylcholine in the pulmonary surfactant is attracted by polar liquid molecules causing a reduction of the liquid surface tension.

Conclusion: This review complements the quoted information analysing them theoretically and integrates recent advances in pulmonary surfactant research with the global pandemic.