Normal formation and function of the lungs are essential for the transition of the fetus to an air‑breathing environment at birth. The synthesis of pulmonary surfactant (PS), which is produced by type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs), is required for proper lung development. Previous in vitro studies have suggested that PS synthesis is regulated by microRNA (miR)‑26a in fetal rat AECIIs. The present study explored the potential role of miR‑26a in lung development and PS synthesis by using a miR‑26a‑1/miR‑26a‑2 double knockout mouse model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of fetal lungs. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of surfactant‑associated proteins. The results demonstrated that the lung formation in the knockout mice was more mature, and that there were more mature lamellar bodies inside AECIIs in miR‑26a knockout mice at late stages of lung development. The findings further demonstrated that knockout of miR‑26a increased surfactant‑associated mRNA and protein expression levels. The results indicated that knockout of miR‑26a promotes lung development and PS synthesis.
Keywords: microRNA-26a; knockout mice; lung development; pulmonary surfactant; type II alveolar epithelial cells.