Related Experiment Videos
Mouse model of airway remodeling: strain differences.
Kazuhiko Shinagawa1, Masami Kojima
1Pharmacology Lab, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Minamiazumi, Nagano, Japan. kazuhiko_shinagawa@pharm.kissei.co.jp
Summary
Strain-dependent differences in mice reveal A/J mice are optimal for studying asthma mechanisms. This model shows airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness after chronic antigen exposure, aiding asthma research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Asthma is a complex respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
- Understanding the underlying mechanisms requires appropriate animal models that mimic human disease features.
- Previous studies have utilized various mouse strains, but optimal models for specific asthma pathologies remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate strain-dependent differences in allergic airway inflammation and remodeling in response to repeated nasal antigen instillation.
- To evaluate the utility of A/J mice as a model for studying asthma mechanisms, focusing on airway hyperresponsiveness and structural changes.
- To determine the impact of immunization protocols on the development of asthma-like features in mice.
Main Methods:
- Repeated intranasal instillation of antigen in A/J, BALB/c, C57BL/6, and C3H/HeJ mice.
- Histologic analysis of lung tissues to assess airway inflammation, wall thickening, and collagen deposition.
- Measurement of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in response to antigen challenge.
- Comparison of different antigen challenge protocols, including post-immunization inhalational challenge.
Main Results:
- Continuous eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling (wall thickening, collagen deposition) were observed only in A/J mice after 12 weeks of antigen exposure.
- Persistent airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was present in chronically exposed A/J mice but not in BALB/c, C57BL/6, or C3H/HeJ mice.
- BALB/c mice showed less severe inflammation and remodeling than A/J mice, while C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ mice exhibited minimal changes.
- Antigen challenge after ovalbumin/alum immunization in A/J mice resulted in transient inflammation and less airway thickening, highlighting protocol importance.
Conclusions:
- Asthma-related changes like eosinophilic inflammation, airway remodeling, and AHR are highly strain-dependent in mice.
- A/J mice, when subjected to repeated nasal antigen instillation, provide a robust model for studying the mechanisms of asthma.
- This model allows for detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of structural and histologic lung changes relevant to asthma pathogenesis.