ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the various methods used for the isolation and primary culture of type II cells, as well as some of the applications and experimental results obtained using isolated type II cells. The isolation of the type II cell offered a new dimension to the study of lung biology. There are several procedures available for the enzymatic dissociation of type II cells from the lung. Intratracheal instillation of the enzyme solution is used by several laboratories. Geppert and co-workers have developed a primary culture of rat type II cells that uses floating collagen membranes. This procedure was an attempt to prolong the biochemical and morphological features of type II cells for periods greater than 3-5 days. This system shows some promise in retaining morphological features of type II cells. From available reports, it appears that type II cells prefer glucose, acetate, and palmitate as substrates for the synthesis of surfactant phospholipids.
