Abstract: The present invention discloses useful surfactant molecules including polypeptides, proteins, and a variety of other organic molecules, as well as methods of making and using same. Surfactant compositions, including liposomal surfactant compositions, are also disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, a pulmonary surfactant composition comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipids admixed with a polypeptide comprising about 10 to 60 amino acid residues, wherein the polypeptide includes a sequence constituted by alternating groupings of charged amino acid residues and uncharged amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention discloses useful surfactant molecules including polypeptides, proteins, and a variety of other organic molecules, as well as methods of making and using same. Surfactant compositions, including liposomal surfactant compositions, are also disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, a pulmonary surfactant composition comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipids admixed with a polypeptide comprising about 10 to 60 amino acid residues, wherein the polypeptide includes a sequence constituted by alternating groupings of charged amino acid residues and uncharged amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention discloses useful surfactant molecules including polypeptides, proteins, and a variety of other organic molecules, as well as methods of making and using same. Surfactant compositions, including liposomal surfactant compositions, are also disclosed. Use of the surfactant molecules of the present invention in pulmonary lavage procedures for a variety of therapeutic applications is also disclosed, including the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome; the removal of inflammatory exudate from inflamed lung tissues; and the treament of meconium aspiration syndrome in infants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses useful peptides and synthetic pulmonary surfactants, as well as methods of making and using same. In one preferred embodiment, a synthetic pulmonary surfactant comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipids admixed with a polypeptide comprising at least 10 amino acid residues and no more than about 60 amino acid residues, said polypeptide including a sequence having alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residue regions. In other embodiments, a surfactant peptide has an amino acid residue sequence selected from the group consisting of KLLLLKLLLLKLLLLKLLLLK, KLLLLLLLLKLLLLLLLLKLL, and KKLLLLLLLKKLLLLLLLKKL.

Abstract: The present invention discloses useful peptides and synthetic pulmonary surfactants, as well as methods of making and using same. In a preferred embodiment, a synthetic pulmonary surfactant comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipids admixed with a polypeptide comprising at least 10 amino acid residues and no more than about 60 amino acid residues, said polypeptide including a sequence having alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residue regions. In other embodiments, a surfactant peptide has an amino acid residue sequence selected from the group consisting of KLLLLKLLLLKLLLLKLLLLK, KLLLLLLLLKLLLLLLLLKLL, and KKLLLLLLLKKLLLLLLLKKL.

Abstract: A synthetic pulmonary surfactant comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipid admixed with a polypeptide comprising at least 10 amino acid residues and no more than about 60 amino acid residues, said polypeptide including a sequence having alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residue regions represented by the formula (Z.sub.a U.sub.b).sub.c Z.sub.d, wherein:Z is a hydrophilic amino acid residue independently selected from the group consisting of R and K;U is a hydrophobic amino acid residue independently selected from the group consisting of V, I, L, C, Y and F;a has an average value of about 1 to about 5;b has an average value of about 3 to about 20;c is 1 to 10; andd is 1 to 3;said polypeptide, when admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipid, forming a synthetic pulmonary surfactant having a surfactant activity greater than the surfactant activity of the phospholipid alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human SP18 monomer protein-related polypeptide useful in forming a synthetic pulmonary surfactant. The present invention also relates to a method of treating neonatal respiratory distress syndrome comprising adminstering a therapeutically effective amount of synthetic pulmonary of the present invention. Further contemplated by the present invention is a composition containing human SP18 monomer and human SP18 dimer but no other pulmonary surfactant proteins. A recombinant DNA molecule capable of expressing, without post-translational proteolytic processing, mature human SP18 monomer, and methods of using the recombinant DNA molecule are also contemplated.