The SFTPC gene encodes pulmonary-associated surfactant protein C (SPC), an extremely hydrophobic surfactant protein essential for lung function and homeostasis after birth. It is produced exclusively by type II alveolar epithelial cells in the lung. Pulmonary surfactant is a lipid-rich material that prevents lung collapse by lowering surface tension at the air-liquid interface in the alveoli of lung. Surfactant is composed of phospholipids and other surfactant-associated proteins (Clark and Clark, 2005 (PubMed 15927881)). See also SFTPA1 (MIM 178630), SFTPB (MIM 178640), and SFTPD (MIM 178635).(supplied by OMIM)
