The study of the pulmonary surfactant system has been going on for more than 60 years. During this period of time, the structure, functions, features of metabolism, factors affecting the qualitative and quantitative composition of the surfactant, as well as its changes in a number of diseases, have been established. Surfactant therapy is actively used not only for acute respiratory distress syndrome, but also for other bronchopulmonary pathologies. Due to the invaluable contribution of researchers of this problem, today we have success- ful results in the treatment of a whole list of diseases in children and adults. Currently, research of the pulmonary surfactant system is ongoing. The article describes in detail the stages of the study and application of surfactant.

Keywords: surfactant therapy, pulmonary surfactant, innate immunity