Keratinocyte growth factor increases mRNAs for SP-A and SP-B in adult rat alveolar type II cells in culture.

The production of pulmonary surfactant, a complex of phospholipids and lung-specific surfactant proteins, is a primary function of alveolar type II cells. Although previous studies have demonstrated a role for cell-extracellular matrix interactions and normal cell shape in the maintenance of differentiated function in primary cultures of adult rat type II cells, a positive role for growth factors in surfactant protein gene expression in isolated normal adult type II cells has not been reported. In the present study, we have examined the effects of a panel of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines on the expression of mRNAs for surfactant proteins A, B, and C (SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C).