Noninvasive and invasive pulmonary function in mouse models of obstructive and restrictive respiratory diseases

Rational: Pulmonary function analysis is an important tool in the evaluation of mouse respiratory disease models but much controversy still exists on the validity of some tests. Most commonly used pulmonary function variables of humans are not routinely applied in mice and the question which pulmonary function is optimal for the monitoring of a particular disease model remains largely unanswered. Objective: Our study aimed to delineate the potential and restrictions of existing pulmonary function techniques in different respiratory disease models and to determine some common variables between humans and mice. Methods: A noninvasive (unrestrained plethysmography) and two invasive pulmonary function equipments (forced maneuvers system from Buxco(c) and forced oscillation technique from Scireq(c)) were evaluated in well-established models of asthma (protein- and chemical-induced), a model of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema and a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Main results: In contrast to non-invasive tests, both invasive techniques were efficacious for the quantification of parenchymal disease via changes in functional residual capacity, total lung capacity, vital capacity and compliance of the respiratory system. Forced oscillation variables were shown to be additional for the further description of the underlying lung disease. Airflow obstruction and airflow limitation at baseline was only present in emphysema but could be significantly induced after methacholine challenge in asthmatic mice which correlated best with an increase of respiratory resistance. Conclusion: Invasive pulmonary functions allow distinction between respiratory diseases in mice by clinically relevant variables and should become standard in the functional evaluation of pathological disease models.

Publication year:2010

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:2

CSS-citation score:3

Authors from:Higher Education