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Hsieh A, Assadinia N, Hackett TL. Airway remodeling heterogeneity in asthma and its relationship to disease outcomes. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1113100. [PMID: 36744026 PMCID: PMC9892557 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1113100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma affects an estimated 262 million people worldwide and caused over 461,000 deaths in 2019. The disease is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, reversible bronchoconstriction, and airway remodeling. Longitudinal studies have shown that current treatments for asthma (inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids) can reduce the frequency of exacerbations, but do not modify disease outcomes over time. Further, longitudinal studies in children to adulthood have shown that these treatments do not improve asthma severity or fixed airflow obstruction over time. In asthma, fixed airflow obstruction is caused by remodeling of the airway wall, but such airway remodeling also significantly contributes to airway closure during bronchoconstriction in acute asthmatic episodes. The goal of the current review is to understand what is known about the heterogeneity of airway remodeling in asthma and how this contributes to the disease process. We provide an overview of the existing knowledge on airway remodeling features observed in asthma, including loss of epithelial integrity, mucous cell metaplasia, extracellular matrix remodeling in both the airways and vessels, angiogenesis, and increased smooth muscle mass. While such studies have provided extensive knowledge on different aspects of airway remodeling, they have relied on biopsy sampling or pathological assessment of lungs from fatal asthma patients, which have limitations for understanding airway heterogeneity and the entire asthma syndrome. To further understand the heterogeneity of airway remodeling in asthma, we highlight the potential of in vivo imaging tools such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Such volumetric imaging tools provide the opportunity to assess the heterogeneity of airway remodeling within the whole lung and have led to the novel identification of heterogenous gas trapping and mucus plugging as important predictors of patient outcomes. Lastly, we summarize the current knowledge of modification of airway remodeling with available asthma therapeutics to highlight the need for future studies that use in vivo imaging tools to assess airway remodeling outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Hsieh
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Najmeh Assadinia
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tillie-Louise Hackett
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,*Correspondence: Tillie-Louise Hackett,
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2
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Dekoster K, Decaesteker T, Berghen N, Van den Broucke S, Jonckheere AC, Wouters J, Krouglov A, Lories R, De Langhe E, Hoet P, Verbeken E, Vanoirbeek J, Vande Velde G. Longitudinal micro-computed tomography-derived biomarkers quantify non-resolving lung fibrosis in a silicosis mouse model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16181. [PMID: 32999350 PMCID: PMC7527558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73056-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of many compounds identified as antifibrotic in preclinical studies, pulmonary fibrosis remains a life-threatening condition for which highly effective treatment is still lacking. Towards improving the success-rate of bench-to-bedside translation, we investigated in vivo µCT-derived biomarkers to repeatedly quantify experimental silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis and assessed clinically relevant readouts up to several months after silicosis induction. Mice were oropharyngeally instilled with crystalline silica or saline and longitudinally monitored with respiratory-gated-high-resolution µCT to evaluate disease onset and progress using scan-derived biomarkers. At weeks 1, 5, 9 and 15, we assessed lung function, inflammation and fibrosis in subsets of mice in a cross-sectional manner. Silica-instillation increased the non-aerated lung volume, corresponding to onset and progression of inflammatory and fibrotic processes not resolving with time. Moreover, total lung volume progressively increased with silicosis. The volume of healthy, aerated lung first dropped then increased, corresponding to an acute inflammatory response followed by recovery into lower elevated aerated lung volume. Imaging results were confirmed by a significantly decreased Tiffeneau index, increased neutrophilic inflammation, increased IL-13, MCP-1, MIP-2 and TNF-α concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased collagen content and fibrotic nodules. µCT-derived biomarkers enable longitudinal evaluation of early onset inflammation and non-resolving pulmonary fibrosis as well as lung volumes in a sensitive and non-invasive manner. This approach and model of non-resolving lung fibrosis provides quantitative assessment of disease progression and stabilization over weeks and months, essential towards evaluation of fibrotic disease burden and antifibrotic therapy evaluation in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Dekoster
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Decaesteker
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, Lab of Respiratory Diseases, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Berghen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Van den Broucke
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne-Charlotte Jonckheere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Wouters
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anton Krouglov
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Lories
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen De Langhe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Hoet
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Erik Verbeken
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Vanoirbeek
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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3
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Radiosafe micro-computed tomography for longitudinal evaluation of murine disease models. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17598. [PMID: 31772203 PMCID: PMC6879529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53876-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementation of in vivo high-resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT), a powerful tool for longitudinal analysis of murine lung disease models, is hampered by the lack of data on cumulative low-dose radiation effects on the investigated disease models. We aimed to measure radiation doses and effects of repeated µCT scans, to establish cumulative radiation levels and scan protocols without relevant toxicity. Lung metastasis, inflammation and fibrosis models and healthy mice were weekly scanned over one-month with µCT using high-resolution respiratory-gated 4D and expiration-weighted 3D protocols, comparing 5-times weekly scanned animals with controls. Radiation dose was measured by ionization chamber, optical fiberradioluminescence probe and thermoluminescent detectors in a mouse phantom. Dose effects were evaluated by in vivo µCT and bioluminescence imaging read-outs, gold standard endpoint evaluation and blood cell counts. Weekly exposure to 4D µCT, dose of 540-699 mGy/scan, did not alter lung metastatic load nor affected healthy mice. We found a disease-independent decrease in circulating blood platelets and lymphocytes after repeated 4D µCT. This effect was eliminated by optimizing a 3D protocol, reducing dose to 180-233 mGy/scan while maintaining equally high-quality images. We established µCT safety limits and protocols for weekly repeated whole-body acquisitions with proven safety for the overall health status, lung, disease process and host responses under investigation, including the radiosensitive blood cell compartment.
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4
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Kobayashi Y, Konno Y, Kanda A, Yamada Y, Yasuba H, Sakata Y, Fukuchi M, Tomoda K, Iwai H, Ueki S. Critical role of CCL4 in eosinophil recruitment into the airway. Clin Exp Allergy 2019; 49:853-860. [PMID: 30854716 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive eosinophil airway infiltration is a clinically critical condition in some cases. Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a pulmonary condition involving eosinophil infiltration of the lungs. Although several chemokines, including eotaxin-1 (CCL11), RANTES (CCL5) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β or CCL4), have been detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with EP, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying EP, including potential relationships between eosinophils and CCL4, have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE To examine the involvement of CCL4 in eosinophilic airway inflammation. METHODS We analysed supernatants of activated eosinophils and BALF from 16 patients with eosinophilic pneumonia (EP). Further, we examined the effects of CCL4 on eosinophil functions in vitro and those of anti-CCL4 neutralizing antibody in an in vivo model. RESULTS We found that purified human eosinophils stimulated with IL-5 predominantly secreted CCL4 and that patients with EP had elevated CCL11 and CCL4 levels in BALF compared with samples from individuals without EP. Because CCL4 levels were more strongly correlated with eosinophil count and expression of eosinophil granule proteins than CCL11, in vitro experiments using purified eosinophils concentrated on the former chemokine. Interestingly, CCL4 acted as a chemoattractant for eosinophils. In a mouse model, administration of a CCL4-neutralizing antibody attenuated eosinophilic airway infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Overall, these findings highlight an important role of CCL4 in the mechanisms underlying eosinophil recruitment into the airway and may provide a novel insight into this potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Kobayashi
- Airway Disease Section, Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.,Allergy Center, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasunori Konno
- Department of General Medical Practice and Laboratory Diagnostic Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Akira Kanda
- Airway Disease Section, Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.,Allergy Center, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Yamada
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yasuba
- Department of Airway Medicine, Mitsubishi Kyoto Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Sakata
- Central Research of Laboratory, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mineyo Fukuchi
- Department of General Medical Practice and Laboratory Diagnostic Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Koichi Tomoda
- Airway Disease Section, Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Iwai
- Airway Disease Section, Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeharu Ueki
- Department of General Medical Practice and Laboratory Diagnostic Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
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5
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Ma C, Zou L, Xia Y, Tu Y, Xue D, Yang Y, Liu D, Liu Y, Wu H, Dan H, You P. Extracts of Coleus forskohlii relieves cough and asthma symptoms via modulating inflammation and the extracellular matrix. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:9648-9655. [PMID: 30520122 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is characterized by airway inflammatory infiltration, which leads to airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity. Coleus forskohlii (CFK) has been used to treat asthma, however, the mechanism involved is not clear. To explore the antiasthma mechanism of extracts of Coleus forskohlii (ECFK), guinea pigs were administered with a spray of phosphoric acid histamine, and rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) were used to evaluate pathological changes in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine cytokine levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to assess the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), phosphorylation of p65 (p-p65), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). After ECFK treatment, the asthma incubation period of guinea pigs was significantly prolonged. The H&E results showed that the number of eosinophils in the 12.8 g/kg ECFK group was significantly lower when compared with the control group. Moreover, ELISA results demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-17 in serum and BALF were significantly decreased, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-10 were increased after ECFK treatment. In addition, ECFK treatment resulted in downregulation of ICAM-1, p-p65, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in lung tissue after being sensitized by OVA. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ECFK significantly alleviated OVA-induced inflammatory infiltration and airway remodeling in asthma. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the clinical use of ECFK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhi Ma
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyuan Zou
- Department of Prevention and Health Care, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijun Tu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Daquan Xue
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfang Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanwen Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hezhen Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanxiong Dan
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengtao You
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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6
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Chetty A, Sharda A, Warburton R, Weinberg EO, Dong J, Fang M, Sahagian GG, Chen T, Xue C, Castellot JJ, Haydon PG, Nielsen HC. A purinergic P2Y6 receptor agonist prodrug modulates airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperreactivity in a mouse model of asthma. J Asthma Allergy 2018; 11:159-171. [PMID: 30122959 PMCID: PMC6078081 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s151849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Purinergic receptors control cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, inflammation, and cytokine secretion. Increased expression of specific purinergic receptors is reported in asthma. The role of purinergic P2Y6 receptors (P2Y6R) in asthma is controversial. Hypothesis P2Y6R activation in asthma improves pulmonary function and reduces inflammation and smooth muscle amount. Methods Female mice (C57/BL6, age 30 days) were randomly assigned to receive intranasal house dust mite (HDM) antigen (40 or 80 µg) or saline, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. Randomly selected subgroups received intraperitoneal P2Y6R agonist prodrug (GC021109; 10 or 100 µg/kg weight/dose) simultaneously with HDM. After 6 weeks, lung function was measured. Lung lavage fluid (LLF) was used to measure total cell count, total protein, and cytokines. Immunohistochemistry for alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was done. Airway wall thickness was measured on micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images. Results Pulmonary function testing revealed a HDM dose-dependent airway hyperresponsiveness. Airway resistance was increased 2-fold while compliance was decreased by 50% at the higher HDM dose (P<0.05). GC021109 prevented these changes. HDM-exposed mice had elevated inflammatory cell and total protein levels in LLF which were prevented by GC021109 (P<0.05). HDM mice also had elevated LLF levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-12, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, chemokine (C-X-C) motif ligand 1, and leukemia inhibitory factor that were reduced by GC021109 with a dose-dependent pattern. HDM mice had increased peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration and increased α-SMA; these changes were absent with GC021109. Airway wall thickness measured on micro-CT images was increased after HDM exposure and significantly reduced by GC021109 treatment. Conclusion The P2Y6R prodrug GC021109 inhibited allergen-induced changes in pulmonary function, inflammatory responses, and airway and vascular smooth muscle mass. P2Y6R activation may be an effective therapeutic maintenance strategy in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Chetty
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,
| | - Azeem Sharda
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,
| | - Rod Warburton
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen O Weinberg
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinghui Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Min Fang
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - G Gary Sahagian
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tiangmeng Chen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chang Xue
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John J Castellot
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Graduate Program in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,
| | - Philip G Haydon
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heber C Nielsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA, .,Graduate Program in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,
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7
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Ford NL, McCaig L, Jeklin A, Lewis JF, Veldhuizen RAW, Holdsworth DW, Drangova M. A respiratory-gated micro-CT comparison of respiratory patterns in free-breathing and mechanically ventilated rats. Physiol Rep 2017; 5:5/2/e13074. [PMID: 28100723 PMCID: PMC5269405 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aim to quantify the differences in lung metrics measured in free-breathing and mechanically ventilated rodents using respiratory-gated micro-computed tomography. Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine and scanned with a retrospective respiratory gating protocol on a GE Locus Ultra micro-CT scanner. Each animal was scanned while free-breathing, then intubated and mechanically ventilated (MV) and rescanned with a standard ventilation protocol (56 bpm, 8 mL/kg and PEEP of 5 cm H2O) and again with a ventilation protocol that approximates the free-breathing parameters (88 bpm, 2.14 mL/kg and PEEP of 2.5 cm H2O). Images were reconstructed representing inspiration and end expiration with 0.15 mm voxel spacing. Image-based measurements of the lung lengths, airway diameters, lung volume, and air content were compared and used to calculate the functional residual capacity (FRC) and tidal volume. Images acquired during MV appeared darker in the airspaces and the airways appeared larger. Image-based measurements showed an increase in lung volume and air content during standard MV, for both respiratory phases, compared with matched MV and free-breathing. Comparisons of the functional metrics showed an increase in FRC for mechanically ventilated rats, but only the standard MV exhibited a significantly higher tidal volume than free-breathing or matched MV Although standard mechanical ventilation protocols may be useful in promoting consistent respiratory patterns, the amount of air in the lungs is higher than in free-breathing animals. Matching the respiratory patterns with the free-breathing case allowed similar lung morphology and physiology measurements while reducing the variability in the measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Ford
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .,Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lynda McCaig
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Jeklin
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James F Lewis
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruud A W Veldhuizen
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David W Holdsworth
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Imaging, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Drangova
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Imaging, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Ruscitti F, Ravanetti F, Essers J, Ridwan Y, Belenkov S, Vos W, Ferreira F, KleinJan A, van Heijningen P, Van Holsbeke C, Cacchioli A, Villetti G, Stellari FF. Longitudinal assessment of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by Micro-CT correlates with histological evaluation in mice. Multidiscip Respir Med 2017; 12:8. [PMID: 28400960 PMCID: PMC5387277 DOI: 10.1186/s40248-017-0089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The intratracheal instillation of bleomycin in mice induces early damage to alveolar epithelial cells and development of inflammation followed by fibrotic tissue changes and represents the most widely used model of pulmonary fibrosis to investigate human IPF. Histopathology is the gold standard for assessing lung fibrosis in rodents, however it precludes repeated and longitudinal measurements of disease progression and does not provide information on spatial and temporal distribution of tissue damage. Here we investigated the use of the Micro-CT technique to allow the evaluation of disease onset and progression at different time-points in the mouse bleomycin model of lung fibrosis. Micro-CT was throughout coupled with histological analysis for the validation of the imaging results. Methods In bleomycin-instilled and control mice, airways and lung morphology changes were assessed and reconstructed at baseline, 7, 14 and 21 days post-treatment based on Micro-CT images. Ashcroft score, percentage of collagen content and percentage of alveolar air area were detected on lung slides processed by histology and subsequently compared with Micro-CT parameters. Results Extent (%) of fibrosis measured by Micro-CT correlated with Ashcroft score, the percentage of collagen content and the percentage of alveolar air area (r2 = 0.91; 0.77; 0.94, respectively). Distal airway radius also correlated with the Ashcroft score, the collagen content and alveolar air area percentage (r2 = 0.89; 0.78; 0.98, respectively). Conclusions Micro-CT data were in good agreement with histological read-outs as micro-CT was able to quantify effectively and non-invasively disease progression longitudinally and to reduce the variability and number of animals used to assess the damage. This suggests that this technique is a powerful tool for understanding experimental pulmonary fibrosis and that its use could translate into a more efficient drug discovery process, also helping to fill the gap between preclinical setting and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Ravanetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Vascular Surgery, and Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yanto Ridwan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Vascular Surgery, and Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wim Vos
- Fluidda NV, Kontich, Belgium
| | | | - Alex KleinJan
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paula van Heijningen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Vascular Surgery, and Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Antonio Cacchioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Chiesi S.p.A., Pre-Clinical R & D, Parma, Italy.,Chiesi Farmaceutici, Pharmacology & Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R & D, Largo Belloli, 11/A, Parma, 43122 Italy
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9
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Stellari F, Bergamini G, Ruscitti F, Sandri A, Ravanetti F, Donofrio G, Boschi F, Villetti G, Sorio C, Assael BM, Melotti P, Lleo MM. In vivo monitoring of lung inflammation in CFTR-deficient mice. J Transl Med 2016; 14:226. [PMID: 27468800 PMCID: PMC4964274 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0976-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Experimentally, lung inflammation in laboratory animals is usually detected by the presence of inflammatory markers, such as immune cells and cytokines, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of sacrificed animals. This method, although extensively used, is time, money and animal life consuming, especially when applied to genetically modified animals. Thus a new and more convenient approach, based on in vivo imaging analysis, has been set up to evaluate the inflammatory response in the lung of CFTR-deficient (CF) mice, a murine model of cystic fibrosis. Methods Wild type (WT) and CF mice were stimulated with P. aeruginosa LPS, TNF-alpha and culture supernatant derived from P. aeruginosa (strain VR1). Lung inflammation was detected by measuring bioluminescence in vivo in mice transiently transgenized with a luciferase reporter gene under the control of a bovine IL-8 gene promoter. Results Differences in bioluminescence (BLI) signal were revealed by comparing the two types of mice after intratracheal challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli. BLI increased at 4 h after stimulation with TNF-alpha and at 24 h after administration of LPS and VR1 supernatant in CF mice with respect to untreated animals. The BLI signal was significantly more intense and lasted for longer times in CF animals when compared to WT mice. Analysis of BALF markers: leukocytes, cytokines and histology revealed no significant differences between CF and WT mice. Conclusions In vivo gene delivery technology and non-invasive bioluminescent imaging has been successfully adapted to CFTR-deficient mice. Activation of bIL-8 transgene promoter can be monitored by non-invasive BLI imaging in the lung of the same animal and compared longitudinally in both CF or WT mice, after challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli. The combination of these technologies and the use of CF mice offer the unique opportunity of evaluating the impact of therapies aimed to control inflammation in a CF background. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0976-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Angela Sandri
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica e Salute Pubblica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Ravanetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Dipartimento di Informatica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudio Sorio
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Barouk M Assael
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Melotti
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria M Lleo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica e Salute Pubblica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
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Ma X, Prakash J, Ruscitti F, Glasl S, Stellari FF, Villetti G, Ntziachristos V. Assessment of asthmatic inflammation using hybrid fluorescence molecular tomography-x-ray computed tomography. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:15009. [PMID: 26803669 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.1.015009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Ma
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85746, GermanybTechnische Universität München, Chair for Biological Imaging, Ismaninger Street 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Jaya Prakash
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85746, GermanybTechnische Universität München, Chair for Biological Imaging, Ismaninger Street 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Francesca Ruscitti
- University of Parma, Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Science, via del Taglio 10, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Sarah Glasl
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85746, GermanybTechnische Universität München, Chair for Biological Imaging, Ismaninger Street 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Fabio Franco Stellari
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Largo Francesco Belloli 11/A, Parma, 43122, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Largo Francesco Belloli 11/A, Parma, 43122, Italy
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85746, GermanybTechnische Universität München, Chair for Biological Imaging, Ismaninger Street 22, Munich 81675, Germany
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11
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Stellari F, Sala A, Ruscitti F, Carnini C, Mirandola P, Vitale M, Civelli M, Villetti G. Monitoring inflammation and airway remodeling by fluorescence molecular tomography in a chronic asthma model. J Transl Med 2015; 13:336. [PMID: 26496719 PMCID: PMC4619338 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0696-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a multifactorial disease for which a variety of mouse models have been developed. A major drawback of these models is represented by the transient nature of the airway pathology peaking 24-72 h after challenge and resolving in 1-2 weeks. We characterized the temporal evolution of pulmonary inflammation and tissue remodeling in a recently described mouse model of chronic asthma (8 week treatment with 3 allergens: Dust mite, Ragweed, and Aspergillus; DRA). METHODS We studied the DRA model taking advantage of fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) imaging using near-infrared probes to non-invasively evaluate lung inflammation and airway remodeling. At 4, 6, 8 or 11 weeks, cathepsin- and metalloproteinase-dependent fluorescence was evaluated in vivo. A subgroup of animals, after 4 weeks of DRA, was treated with Budesonide (100 µg/kg intranasally) daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS Cathepsin-dependent fluorescence in DRA-sensitized mice resulted significantly increased at 6 and 8 weeks, and was markedly inhibited by budesonide. This fluorescent signal well correlated with ex vivo analysis such as bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils and pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration. Metalloproteinase-dependent fluorescence was significantly increased at 8 and 11 weeks, nicely correlated with collagen deposition, as evaluated histologically by Masson's Trichrome staining, and airway epithelium hypertrophy, and was only partly inhibited by budesonide. CONCLUSIONS FMT proved suitable for longitudinal studies to evaluate asthma progression, showing that cathepsin activity could be used to monitor inflammatory cell infiltration while metalloproteinase activity parallels airway remodeling, allowing the determination of steroid treatment efficacy in a chronic asthma model in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelo Sala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,IBIM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Prisco Mirandola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Marco Vitale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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12
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Jung KH, Choi HL, Park S, Lee G, Kim M, Min JK, Min BI, Bae H. The effects of the standardized herbal formula PM014 on pulmonary inflammation and airway responsiveness in a murine model of cockroach allergen-induced asthma. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 155:113-122. [PMID: 24879958 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE PM014 is a modified form of the Chung-Sang-Bo-Ha-Tang (CSBHT) herbal formula that has been used to treat chronic pulmonary diseases in Korea for centuries. Previously, we developed a formulation of PM014 based on a series of in vitro and in vivo screening efforts that comprises seven herbal extracts. The PM014 formula includes the root of Rehmannia glutinosa, the cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa, the fruit of Schizandra chinensis, the root of Asparagus cochinchinensis, seeds of Prunus armeniaca, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis and the root of Stemona sessilifolia. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that is characterized by wheezing, bronchial contraction, and chest tightness. In addition, the airway becomes hypersensitive and narrows through an inflammatory reaction mediated by Th2 cells. The present study was conducted to evaluate the ability of PM014 to prevent allergic airway inflammation and to attenuate airway responses in a cockroach allergen-induced mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice sensitized to and challenged with cockroach allergen were treated with oral administration of PM014. Airway resistance was determined by whole body plethysmography. In addition, Th2 cytokines and immune cell profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and inflammatory mediators in serum were analyzed by ELISA. A series of histological examinations were also conducted to demonstrate the effects of PM014 on airway remodeling, goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory responses in the lung. RESULTS PM014 significantly inhibited the number of total cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes in the BAL fluid of mice that were challenged with cockroach allergen. In addition, PM014 reduced the levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in the BAL fluid and inflammatory mediators such as IgE in the serum, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological analysis also showed that PM014 substantially inhibited eosinophil infiltration into the airway, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS In this study, our results indicate that PM014 has significant effects on allergic airway inflammation upon exposure to cockroach allergen in a mouse model. According to these outcomes, PM014 may have therapeutic potential as a treatment for allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Hwa Jung
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hei-Lim Choi
- Department of East-West Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soojin Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Geunhyeog Lee
- Central Research Institute, Hanlim Pharm. Co. Ltd., 1007 Yoobang Dong, Yongin, Kyounggi Do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Miran Kim
- Central Research Institute, Hanlim Pharm. Co. Ltd., 1007 Yoobang Dong, Yongin, Kyounggi Do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joon-Ki Min
- Department of East-West Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung-Il Min
- Department of East-West Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Gammon ST, Foje N, Brewer EM, Owers E, Downs CA, Budde MD, Leevy WM, Helms MN. Preclinical anatomical, molecular, and functional imaging of the lung with multiple modalities. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2014; 306:L897-914. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00007.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo imaging is an important tool for preclinical studies of lung function and disease. The widespread availability of multimodal animal imaging systems and the rapid rate of diagnostic contrast agent development have empowered researchers to noninvasively study lung function and pulmonary disorders. Investigators can identify, track, and quantify biological processes over time. In this review, we highlight the fundamental principles of bioluminescence, fluorescence, planar X-ray, X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear imaging modalities (such as positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography) that have been successfully employed for the study of lung function and pulmonary disorders in a preclinical setting. The major principles, benefits, and applications of each imaging modality and technology are reviewed. Limitations and the future prospective of multimodal imaging in pulmonary physiology are also discussed. In vivo imaging bridges molecular biological studies, drug design and discovery, and the imaging field with modern medical practice, and, as such, will continue to be a mainstay in biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth T. Gammon
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nathan Foje
- Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Elizabeth M. Brewer
- Department of Pediatrics Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth Owers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Charles A. Downs
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Matthew D. Budde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - W. Matthew Leevy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - My N. Helms
- Department of Pediatrics Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Park S, Park MS, Jung KH, Song J, Kim YA, Cho HJ, Min BI, Bae H. Treatment with pyranopyran-1, 8-dione attenuates airway responses in cockroach allergen sensitized asthma in mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87558. [PMID: 24489937 PMCID: PMC3906187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic allergic asthma is characterized by Th2-typed inflammation, and contributes to airway remodeling and the deterioration of lung function. Viticis Fructus (VF) has long been used in China and Korea as a traditional herbal remedy for treating various inflammatory diseases. Previously, we have isolated a novel phytochemical, pyranopyran-1, 8-dione (PPY), from VF. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of PPY to prevent airway inflammation and to attenuate airway responses in a cockroach allergen-induced asthma model in mice. The mice sensitized to and challenged with cockroach allergen were treated with oral administration of PPY. The infiltration of total cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes into the BAL fluid was significantly inhibited in cockroach allergen-induced asthma mice treated with PPY (1, 2, or 10 mg/kg). Th2 cytokines and chemokine, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BAL fluid were also reduced to normal levels following treatment with PPY. In addition, the levels of IgE were also markedly suppressed after PPY treatment. Histopathological examination demonstrated that PPY substantially inhibited eosinophil infiltration into the airway, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle hypertrophy. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PPY possesses a potent efficacy on controlling allergic asthma response such as airway inflammation and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Sun Park
- Department of East-West Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyun Song
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - You Ah Kim
- Natural Products Department, Korea Promotion Institute for Traditional Medical Industry, Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi Jae Cho
- Natural Products Department, Korea Promotion Institute for Traditional Medical Industry, Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Il Min
- Department of East-West Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Bianchi A, Ozier A, Ousova O, Raffard G, Crémillieux Y. Ultrashort-TE MRI longitudinal study and characterization of a chronic model of asthma in mice: inflammation and bronchial remodeling assessment. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2013; 26:1451-1459. [PMID: 23761222 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), bronchial inflammation and remodeling. The great improvements in (1)H MRI ultrashort-TE (UTE) sequences in the last decade have allowed lung images with high-resolution and good signal-to-noise ratio to be obtained in parenchymal tissues. In this article, we present a UTE (1)H MRI high-resolution study of a chronic model of asthma in mice with the aim to longitudinally assess the main features of asthma using a fully noninvasive approach. Balb/c mice (n = 6) were sensitized with ovalbumin over a period of 75 days. The control group (n = 3) received normal saline on the same days. MRI acquisitions were performed on days 0, 38 and 78 to study the inflammatory volumes and bronchial remodeling (peribronchial signal intensity index, PBSI). Plethysmographic studies were performed on days 0, 39 and 79 to assess BHR to methacholine using the enhanced pause (Penh) ratio. The average inflammatory volume measured by MRI in the ovalbumin group (15.6 ± 2.4 μL) was increased significantly relative to control mice (-0.3 ± 0.7 μL) on day 38. The inflammatory volume was larger (34.2 ± 3.1 μL) on day 78 in the ovalbumin group. PBSI was significantly higher in the ovalbumin group on day 78 (1.53 ± 0.08) relative to the control group (1.16 ± 0.10), but not on day 38. After sensitization, asthmatic mice presented BHR to methacholine on days 39 and 79. Penh ratios correlated significantly with the inflammatory volume on day 39 and with the PBSI on day 79. This study shows, for the first time, that high-resolution UTE (1)H MRI of the lungs may allow the noninvasive quantification of peribronchial eosinophilic inflammation with airways occlusion by mucus and of bronchial remodeling in a murine asthma model that correlates with functional parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bianchi
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, U1045, Université Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, France; Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques, UMR 5536, Université Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, France
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Longitudinal characterization of a model of chronic allergic lung inflammation in mice using imaging, functional and immunological methods. Clin Sci (Lond) 2013; 125:555-64. [DOI: 10.1042/cs20130086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the role that imaging could have for assessing lung inflammation in a mouse model of HDM (house dust mite)-provoked allergic inflammation. Inflammation is usually assessed using terminal procedures such as BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) and histopathology; however, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) methods have the potential to allow longitudinal, repeated study of individual animals. Female BALB/c mice were administered daily either saline, or a solution of mixed HDM proteins sufficient to deliver a dose of 12 or 25 μg total HDM protein±budesonide (1 mg/kg of body weight, during weeks 5–7) for 7 weeks. AHR (airway hyper-responsiveness) and IgE measurements were taken on weeks 3, 5 and 7. Following imaging sessions at weeks 3, 5 and 7 lungs were prepared for histology. BAL samples were taken at week 7 and lungs prepared for histology. MRI showed a gradual weekly increase in LTI (lung tissue intensity) in animals treated with HDM compared with control. The 25 μg HDM group showed a continual significant increase in LTI between weeks 3 and 7, the 12 μg HDM-treated group showed a similar rate of increase, and plateaued by week 5. A corresponding increase in AHR, cell counts and IgE were observed. CT showed significant increases in lung tissue density from week 1 of HDM exposure and this was maintained throughout the 7 weeks. Budesonide treatment reversed the increase in tissue density. MRI and CT therefore provide non-invasive sensitive methods for longitudinally assessing lung inflammation. Lung tissue changes could be compared directly with the classical functional and inflammatory readouts, allowing more accurate assessments to be made within each animal and providing a clinically translatable approach.
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