The effects of dexamethasone and prostaglandin F2alpha on production and release of surfactant in type II alveolar cells.

Incubation of adult rat Type II alveolar pneumocytes with dexamethasone microM induced an increase of intracellular 3Hphosphatidyl choline (PC), a component of lung surfactant, from precursor 3Hcholine. Release of 3HPC into the media did not differ from control unless prostaglandin F2alpha-THAM microM was added to the dexamethasone-treated cells. This observation corresponds to the ontogenetically observed endogenous increases in cortisol during pregnancy followed by increases in prostaglandins associated with contractions. The model system will serve well to test whether various substances effect synthesis and/or release of pulmonary surfactants.