Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: May 9, 2025
[Effect of imatinib mesylate on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice]
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
To observe the effect of tyrosine kinase depressor imatinib mesylate on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by bleomycin in mice and explore its mechanism.
Methods:
One hundred and twenty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, dexamethasone group and imatinib mesylate group (with 30 mice each). After the model of PF was reproduced by a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, the above-mentioned drugs were given respectively. On 7, 14 and 21 days after treatment, 10 mice of each group were sacrificed, their lungs were harvested for measurement of the lung index, pathological change, concentration of hydroxyproline (HYP) and expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) in lung tissues.
Results:
Lung indexes of model group were significantly higher than those of control group at different time points after in tracheal bleomycin (all P<0.05). Alveolitis grades and PF degrees were elevated markedly (all P<0.01). The concentrations of HYP in lung tissues were continuously increasing with the elapse of time after bleomycin (all P<0.05). The contents of PDGF-BB were obviously higher than those of control group (all P<0.05), and they gradually reduced with time. In imatinib mesylate and dexamethasone groups alveolitis grades and PF induced by bleomycin were obviously alleviated. The concentration of HYP and expression of PDGF-BB in lung tissues decreased in imatinib mesylate and dexamethasone groups compared with those in model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The effects of imatinib mesylate on above indexes were better than those of dexamethasone but without significant differences (all P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Imatinib mesylate may obviously inhibit the development of PF induced by bleomycin in mice.
Insights
Imatinib mesylate effectively inhibited bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in mice. This tyrosine kinase inhibitor reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis markers, suggesting therapeutic potential for PF.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive lung disease with limited treatment options.
- Bleomycin-induced PF in mice is a common model for studying PF pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in treating bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms by which imatinib mesylate affects PF development.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model of PF was established using bleomycin instillation.
- Mice were treated with imatinib mesylate, dexamethasone, or served as controls.
- Lung index, pathological changes, hydroxyproline (HYP) concentration, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) expression were assessed at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Bleomycin significantly increased lung index, alveolitis, PF degree, HYP, and PDGF-BB levels.
- Imatinib mesylate and dexamethasone treatments alleviated PF, reduced HYP, and decreased PDGF-BB expression.
- Imatinib mesylate showed comparable or slightly better efficacy than dexamethasone in mitigating PF markers.
Conclusions:
- Imatinib mesylate demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
- The drug may exert its effects by reducing key fibrotic markers like HYP and PDGF-BB.
- These findings suggest imatinib mesylate as a potential therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrosis.
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