Androgens and the regulation of lung lipids

PEREZ CHACA MARIA VERONICA; CIMINARI ME; ALVAREZ SILVINA M; GOMEZ NIDIA NOEMI

Recent Research Developments in Lipids.

Research Singpost

Año: 2017;

The human lung is protected by an effective network of respiratory tract host defenses. It has an effective and complex defense system against infections, including a mechanical and anatomical barrier. In addition, the alveolar microenvironment is regulated in order to avoid damage in gas-exchanging structures through the coordinated efforts of the innate and adaptive immune system. Lung alveolus is formed by several cell types and pulmonary surfactant is assembled and secreted into the respiratory surface by specialized cells (pneumocyte type II). Surfactant participates in physiological processes such as reducing the surface tension at the alveolar air-liquid interface and stabilizing alveolar inflation and deflation to avoid the alveoli collapse. Pulmonary surfactant is composed of phospholipids, neutral lipids, and specific surfactant proteins. Genetic disorders of the surfactant homeostasis genes may result in lack of surfactant or cytotoxicity, and lead to multiple lung diseases in neonates, children and adults, including respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. This work provides a review for the functions and processes of pulmonary surfactant metabolism, as well as the connection between disorders of surfactant homeostasis genes and lung diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that androgens could influence lung mechanisms, through direct activation of specific androgen receptors, indirectly by competitive inhibition of other hormone receptors, or by interference with enzimatic processes. The testosterone decrease seen in aging men can lead to weak lung stroma, susceptible to undergo several pulmonary diseases.These should be considered in order to better understanding lung changes due to androgen deprivation, and proposing therapies. Also, specific biomarkers should be developed in the future for patients that suffer lung diseases due to androgen deprivation.