Abstract
In patients with asthma, lung function is often monitored by spirometry and compared to reference values adjusted to age and sex. However, little is known about the effect of these biological variables on spirometry-like parameters in mouse models of experimental asthma.
Objective: To investigate whether spirometry-like parameters are useful to monitor lung function in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic airway inflammation.
Methods: Mice received HDM or PBS intranasally, and their lung function was measured using the Buxco Pulmonary Function Test system. Mast cell infiltration in the lungs was assessed by flow cytometry and mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage were quantified by ELISA.
Results: Age and weight correlated positively with peak of expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 100 milliseconds (FEV 0.1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and inspiratory capacity in naïve mice. HDM administrations reduced these parameters, while dexamethasone treatment improved PEF, FEV 0.1, and FVC in HDM-sensitized mice. The accumulation of lung mast cells and their progenitors, as well as the increased levels of mMCP-1 induced by HDM, were reduced by dexamethasone. The frequency of lung mast cell progenitors and eosinophils predicted reduced FEV 0.1 and PEF.
Conclusion: Spirometry-like parameters can be used to monitor disease progression and response to treatment in an experimental asthma model. However, it is critical to match groups by sex, age, and weight when assessing lung function parameters.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA2327.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021