Disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC)

Disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) is a critical class of phospholipids characterized by two saturated fatty acid chains, most commonly palmitic acid (forming dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC) or stearic acid (forming distearoylphosphatidylcholine). It is the primary functional component of pulmonary surfactant, synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II cells to reduce surface tension at the air-liquid interface [6, 9]. This unique biophysical property prevents alveolar collapse at low lung volumes, maintaining lung compliance and preventing respiratory failure [6, 12]. In clinical medicine, exogenous DSPC is the active therapeutic moiety in surfactant replacement therapies for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (NRDS) and is being investigated for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) [10, 12]. Furthermore, specific disaturated PCs like 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine are essential structural components of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used in mRNA vaccines, where they stabilize the lipid bilayer and facilitate the delivery of genetic material [1, 3, 5]. Beyond the lungs, DSPC plays roles in maintaining the intestinal mucus barrier and serves as a precursor for signaling molecules like diacylglycerol and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine [11, 14, 15].

Other names

DSPCDPPC1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholineSaturated lecithinlecithins, disaturated

Disaturated phosphatidylcholine primarily functions by reducing surface tension at the alveolar air-liquid interface, which prevents lung collapse during expiration. In drug delivery systems like lipid nanoparticles, it acts as a structural helper lipid that stabilizes the nanoparticle's bilayer and facilitates the encapsulation and protection of nucleic acid cargo. Additionally, corticosteroids can induce the endogenous synthesis of this molecule in the lungs.