Pathology of the surfactant system of the mature lung: second San Diego conference.

Knowledge of the surfactant system has grown immensely in the past decade. A variety of investigative strategies, including manipulation of surfactant protein gene expression in mice, has contributed dramatically to our understanding of the role of surfactant components in lung function. These approaches have fostered investigations that will further our knowledge of the role of lung surfactant in host defense and will provide information that should lead to improved strategies for the treatment of lung disease.