Effect of inhaled surfactant enriched with phosphatidylethanolamine on matrix deposition in a murine model of airway inflammation and remodeling.

Introduction: Some studies report that exogenous surfactant administration has positive effects in asthma animal models as well as in asthma patients. We have previously shown that Beractant induces an antifibrotic phenotype in normal human lung fibroblasts and that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) promotes this effect. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of a preparation of Beractant enriched with PE on matrix deposition in an experimental model of airway remodeling. Materials and Methods: Beractant enriched with PE (Beractant-PE) was prepared by adding the phospholipid at a final concentration of 0.75 mg mL -1 . The experimental model was based on the one reported by Fraga-Iriso et al. ( Arch Bronconeumol. 2009; 45(9):422–428 ). BALB/c mice were sensitized to crude egg extract (CEE) and challenged with inhaled CEE 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Beractant-PE (400 mg kg -1 ) (6 mice) or vehicle (18 mice) were administered via aerosol with a micronebulizer one hour before the CEE challenges. Animals were sacrificed and lung tissue samples were stained with Masson’s trichrome. The blue stained area (representative of connective tissue) was measured with the image J software by three blinded observers. Results: Measurements among observers had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83. Mean fibrosis area in the positive controls was 0.78 ± 0.77 while in Beractant-PE treated animals was 0.28 ± 0.16 (p Conclusion: Inhaled Beractant-PE attenuates the fibrosis induced by prolonged allergen exposure in mice.