Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a disorder affecting premature babies who lack or have a complete absence of the essential lung surfactant components produced during proper fetal lung development. Composed of a mixture of lipids and proteins, lung surfactant lines the alveoli, providing a barrier against inhaled pathogens, lowering the surface tension at the air-fluid interface, and facilitating oxygen absorption. Specifically, surfactant protein B (SP-B) has been identified as a major protein in surface tension reduction and lipid trafficking to the air-fluid interface of the alveoli. Previous studies have shown selective interactions with DPPC in SP-B penetration, possibly suggesting the flipping of DPPC to the air-fluid interface. We will study the phase separations and trafficking abilities of SP-B to better understand how it lowers surface tension. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer with the fluorescent probes rhodamine-PE and NBD-PE, we will monitor the predicted effects of SP-B in mediating membrane fusion and inducing phase separations. This method allows us to demonstrate the role of SP-B in lipid trafficking in a fast and cost effective manner with minimal sample consumption.

Use of membrane fusion to understand the role of lung surfactant protein B in lipid trafficking

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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