Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
1432-1084
abstract
Abstract: Objectives: To define the potential, limitations and synergiesof micro-CT and other non-radiological techniques for thequantification of emphysema and related processes in mice,by performing a complete characterization of the elastase-induced emphysema model. Materials and methods: Ninety A/J mice (45 treated and 45controls) were studied at different time points using breath-hold gated micro-CT, functional test parameters, RT-PCRfor RNA cytokine expression, Luminex technology forcytokine plasma concentration and histomorphometry. Results: Both histomorphometry and micro-CT imagingreflect rapid initial emphysema progression followed bysteady-state development at decreasing rates. Cytokine measurements reveal an acute inflammatory responsewithin the first 24 h that disappears after the first week. Limited systemic effect was observed based on plasma cytokine concentration. Lung compliance decreases duringthe acute inflammation phase and increases afterwards. Conclusion: Histomorphometry is the most sensitive tech-nique since it detects airspace enlargement before the othermethods (1 h after treatment). Micro-CT correlates wellwith histology (r2=0.63) proving appropriate for longitu-dinal studies. Functional test parameters do not necessarilycorrelate with the extent of emphysema, as they can beinfluenced by acute inflammation. Finally, cytokine measurements correlate with the presence of inflammation inhistology but not with emphysema.