Alveolar type II cells isolated from fetal rat lung organotypic cultures synthesize and secrete surfactant-associated phospholipids and respond to fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor.

Alveolar type II cells that were isolated from organotypic cultures of fetal rat lung and maintained in primary monolayer culture were analyzed. Morphologically the cells retained many characteristics of type II cells in vivo. Biochemical analysis revealed that the cells contained and synthesized phosphatidylcholine with a high degree of saturation. Furthermore, the cells released saturated phosphatidylcholine and responded to adrenergic stimulation with increased release. The type II cells retained their ability to proliferate and responded to fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor. These data indicate that primary cultures of fetal type II cells will be useful to elucidate mechanisms modulating type II cell proliferation, surfactant synthesis, and surfactant secretion.