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 administering 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. |