The development, validation, and in vivo testing of a high-precision bronchial epithelial lining fluid sampling...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Accurate analysis of respiratory biomarkers in bronchial epithelial lining fluid (bELF) is vital for clinical diagnostics and research.
• Current sampling methods may lack precision or introduce dilution, impacting biomarker concentration analysis.
• High-precision sampling of bELF is needed for effective respiratory health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel absorptive probe for high-precision bronchial epithelial lining fluid (bELF) sampling.
• To test the efficacy of a cellulose-based matrix (Whatman® CF-12 filter paper) for bELF collection.
• To evaluate the device's design and sampling technique in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Main Methods:

• A cellulose filter paper probe was tested on porcine airway tissue for absorption and elution capacity.
• The probe and bronchoscopic sampling technique were optimized for in-house production and clinical use.
• bELF samples from 10 COPD patients were collected using the probe and compared to reference bronchial wash samples, analyzing CXCL8, MPO, and CRP levels.

Main Results:

• The cellulose probe maintained integrity on airway tissue and collected an average of 32 μL of fluid.
• The probe demonstrated good recovery rates (48%-87%) for key inflammatory markers (CXCL8, CRP).
• The bELF probe detected significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory proteins (7-59 times) compared to bronchial wash samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed bELF probe is an effective absorptive technology for high-precision, undiluted bELF sampling.
• The simple in-house production and bronchoscopic technique allow for widespread adoption in clinical settings.
• This method enables consistent and reliable sampling of bELF for improved respiratory diagnostics.