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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Increased airway reactivity in a neonatal mouse model of continuous positive airway pressure
Catherine A Mayer1, Richard J Martin1, Peter M MacFarlane1
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Background:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a primary form of respiratory support used in the intensive care of preterm infants, but its long-term effects on airway (AW) function are unknown.
Methods:
We developed a neonatal mouse model of CPAP treatment to determine whether it modifies later AW reactivity. Unanesthetized spontaneously breathing mice were fitted with a mask to deliver CPAP (6 cmH2O, 3 h/day) for 7 consecutive days starting at postnatal day 1. AW reactivity to methacholine was assessed using the in vitro living lung slice preparation.
Results:
One week of CPAP increased AW responsiveness to methacholine in male, but not female mice, compared to untreated control animals. The AW hyper-reactivity of male mice persisted for 2 wk (at P21) after CPAP treatment ended. Four days of CPAP, however, did not significantly increase AW reactivity. Females also exhibited AW hyper-reactivity at P21, suggesting a delayed response to early (7 d) CPAP treatment. The effects of 7 d of CPAP on hyper-reactivity to methacholine were unique to smaller AWs whereas larger ones were relatively unaffected.
Conclusion:
These data may be important to our understanding of the potential long-term consequences of neonatal CPAP therapy used in the intensive care of preterm infants.
