SP-D expression was higher in VV<sub>30</sub> than NV, while SP-C was higher in VV<sub>30</sub> and VV<sub>22.5</sub> than VV<sub>0.</sub> In conclusion, VV<sub>22.5</sub> improved respiratory system elastance and homogeneity of airspace enlargement, mitigated inflammation and epithelial cell damage, while avoiding impairment of right cardiac function in experimental elastase-induced emphysema.
Moreover, positive DAB staining of PCNA, SP-B & SP-C was observed due to rHuKGF supplementation at tissue level. rHuKGF is therapeutically potent in maintaining pulmonary tissue integrity by amelioration of protease/antiprotease imbalance and TGFβ-1 pathway in emphysema.