Isolation of rat and mouse alveolar type II epithelial cells

Abstract

The gas exchange surface of the lungs is lined by an epithelium consisting of alveolar type (AT) I and ATII cells. ATII cells function to produce surfactant, play a role in host defense and fluid and ion transport, and serve as progenitors. ATI cells are important for gas exchange and fluid and ion transport. Our understanding of the biology of these cells depends on the investigation of isolated cells. Here, we present methods for the isolation of mouse and rat ATII cells.