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Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity
Published on: January 6, 2015
Differences in alveolar size in inbred mouse strains
Shawn E Soutiere1, Clarke G Tankersley, Wayne Mitzner
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Physiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
|June 10, 2004
Summary
Genetic differences in mouse strains significantly impact alveolar size, influencing lung structure. These variations in lung anatomy may affect emphysema development in mouse models.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary research
- Comparative genomics
- Respiratory physiology
Background:
- Inbred mouse strains exhibit distinct lung pressure-volume relationships.
- Understanding alveolar structure is crucial for respiratory disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural differences in alveolar size among C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, and A/J mouse strains.
- To determine if alveolar size variations correlate with observed lung volume differences.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative morphometric analysis of excised lungs.
- Measurement of airspace chord lengths in fixed mouse lungs.
- Statistical comparison of mean chord lengths across three mouse strains.
Main Results:
- Significant differences (P < 0.0001) in mean alveolar chord lengths were found among the strains.
- C3H/HeJ mice had the largest alveoli (45 ± 5 µm), C57BL/6J mice had the smallest (35 ± 3 µm), and A/J mice were intermediate (38 ± 2 µm).
- A/J and C57BL/6J mice showed similar lung volumes despite differing alveolar sizes.
Conclusions:
- Clear genetic basis for structural lung differences among mouse strains.
- The link between microscopic alveolar structure and macroscopic lung volume requires further investigation.
- Observed structural variations may influence the pathogenesis of lung diseases like emphysema in mouse models.
