Intermedin promotes pulmonary edema resolution by upregulating the Na,K-ATPase

Patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) present with impaired gas exchange due to alveolar flooding caused by disruption of the alveolo-capillary barrier. Clearance of alveolar edema and restoration of alveolo-capillary barrier function are crucial for the survival of patients. Recently, intermedin (IMD) was described to stabilize endothelial permeability and thus we sought to investigate the effect of IMD on alveolar epithelial barrier function. Isolated, ventilated and perfused mouse lungs were applied to monitor alveolar epithelial barrier function and fluid transp…