1
|
Grandi A, Ferrini E, Zoboli M, Buseghin D, Pennati F, Khalajzeyqami Z, Ciccimarra R, Villetti G, Stellari FF. A mouse model of progressive lung fibrosis with cutaneous involvement induced by a combination of oropharyngeal and osmotic minipump bleomycin delivery. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L736-L753. [PMID: 38651940 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00408.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) lacks curative pharmacological treatments, thus necessitating effective animal models for candidate drug discovery. Existing bleomycin (BLM)-induced SSc-ILD mouse models feature spatially limited pulmonary fibrosis, spontaneously resolving after 28 days. Here, we present an alternative BLM administration approach in female C57BL/6 mice, combining oropharyngeal aspiration (OA) and subcutaneous mini-pump delivery (pump) of BLM to induce a sustained and more persistent fibrosis, while retaining stable skin fibrosis. A dose-finding study was performed with BLM administered as 10 µg (OA) +80 mg/kg (pump) (10 + 80), 10 + 100, and 15 + 100. Forty-two days after OA, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and histomorphometric analyses showed that the 10 + 100 and 15 + 100 treatments induced significant alterations in lung micro-CT-derived readouts, Ashcroft score, and more severe fibrosis grades compared with saline controls. In addition, a marked reduction in hypodermal thickness was observed in the 15 + 100 group. A time-course characterization of the BLM 15 + 100 treatment at days 28, 35, and 42, including longitudinal micro-CT imaging, revealed progressing alterations in lung parameters. Lung histology highlighted a sustained fibrosis accompanied by a reduction in hypodermis thickness throughout the explored time-window, with a time-dependent increase in fibrotic biomarkers detected by immunofluorescence analysis. BLM-induced alterations were partly mitigated by Nintedanib treatment. Our optimized BLM delivery approach leads to extensive and persistent lung fibrotic lesions coupled with cutaneous fibrotic alterations: it thus represents a significant advance compared with current preclinical models of BLM-induced SSc-ILD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study introduces an innovative approach to enhance the overall performance of the mouse bleomycin (BLM)-induced model for systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). By combining oropharyngeal aspiration and subcutaneous mini-pump delivery of BLM, our improved model leads to sustained lung fibrosis and stable skin fibrosis in female C57BL/6 mice. The optimized 15 + 100 treatment results in extensive and persistent lung fibrotic lesions and thus represents a significant improvement over existing preclinical models of BLM-induced SSc-ILD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Grandi
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Zoboli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Davide Buseghin
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- ANTHEM (AdvaNced Technologies for Human-centrEd Medicine), Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Pennati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Zahra Khalajzeyqami
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Gino Villetti
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Henneke I, Pilz C, Wilhelm J, Alexopoulos I, Ezaddoustdar A, Mukhametshina R, Weissmann N, Ghofrani HA, Grimminger F, Seeger W, Schermuly RT, Wygrecka M, Kojonazarov B. Microscopic computed tomography with AI-CNN-powered image analysis: the path to phenotype bleomycin-induced lung injury. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1637-C1647. [PMID: 38646782 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00708.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury in mice is a valuable model for investigating the molecular mechanisms that drive inflammation and fibrosis and for evaluating potential therapeutic approaches to treat the disease. Given high variability in the BLM model, it is critical to accurately phenotype the animals in the course of an experiment. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the utility of microscopic computed tomography (µCT) imaging combined with an artificial intelligence (AI)-convolutional neural network (CNN)-powered lung segmentation for rapid phenotyping of BLM mice. µCT was performed in freely breathing C57BL/6J mice under isoflurane anesthesia on days 7 and 21 after BLM administration. Terminal invasive lung function measurement and histological assessment of the left lung collagen content were conducted as well. µCT image analysis demonstrated gradual and time-dependent development of lung injury as evident by alterations in the lung density, air-to-tissue volume ratio, and lung aeration in mice treated with BLM. The right and left lung were unequally affected. µCT-derived parameters such as lung density, air-to-tissue volume ratio, and nonaerated lung volume correlated well with the invasive lung function measurement and left lung collagen content. Our study demonstrates the utility of AI-CNN-powered µCT image analysis for rapid and accurate phenotyping of BLM mice in the course of disease development and progression.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Microscopic computed tomography (µCT) imaging combined with an artificial intelligence (AI)-convolutional neural network (CNN)-powered lung segmentation is a rapid and powerful tool for noninvasive phenotyping of bleomycin mice over the course of the disease. This, in turn, allows earlier and more reliable identification of therapeutic effects of new drug candidates, ultimately leading to the reduction of unnecessary procedures in animals in pharmacological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Henneke
- Experimental Lung Disease Models Platform, Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Christina Pilz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Platform, Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Ioannis Alexopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Multyscale Imaging Platform, Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Aysan Ezaddoustdar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung (CIGL), Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Regina Mukhametshina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Small Animal Imaging Platform, Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Norbert Weissmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Friedrich Grimminger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Werner Seeger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Ralph T Schermuly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Wygrecka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung (CIGL), Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- CSL Behring Innovation GmbH, Marburg, Germany
| | - Baktybek Kojonazarov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Murburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
- Small Animal Imaging Platform, Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang H, Jia Q, Wang Y, Xue W, Jiang Q, Ning F, Wang J, Zhu Z, Tian L. Stacking learning based on micro-CT radiomics for outcome prediction in the early-stage of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30651. [PMID: 38765063 PMCID: PMC11098827 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Silicosis is a progressive pulmonary fibrosis disease caused by long-term inhalation of silica. The early diagnosis and timely implementation of intervention measures are crucial in preventing silicosis deterioration further. However, the lack of screening and diagnostic measures for early-stage silicosis remains a significant challenge. In this study, silicosis models of varying severity were established through a single exposure to silica with different doses (2.5mg/mice or 5mg/mice) and durations (4 weeks or 12 weeks). The diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) quantitative analysis was assessed using lung density biomarkers and the lung density distribution histogram, with a particular focus on non-aerated lung volume. Subsequently, we developed and evaluated a stacking learning model for early diagnosis of silicosis after extracting and selecting features from CT images. The CT quantitative analysis reveals that while the lung densitometric biomarkers and lung density distribution histogram, as traditional indicators, effectively differentiate severe fibrosis models, they are unable to distinguish early-stage silicosis. Furthermore, these findings remained consistent even when employing non-aerated areas, which is a more sensitive indicator. By establishing a radiomics stacking learning model based on non-aerated areas, we can achieve remarkable diagnostic performance to distinguish early-stage silicosis, which can provide a valuable tool for clinical assistant diagnosis. This study reveals the potential of using non-aerated lung areas as a region of interest in stacking learning for early diagnosis of silicosis, providing new insights into early detection of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qiyue Jia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wenming Xue
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qiyue Jiang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Fuao Ning
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhonghui Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hussein ZA, Abu-Raghif AR, Tahseen NJ, Rashed KA, Shaker NS, Fawzi HA. Vinpocetine alleviated alveolar epithelial cells injury in experimental pulmonary fibrosis by targeting PPAR-γ/NLRP3/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathways. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11131. [PMID: 38750140 PMCID: PMC11096407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61269-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic activity of vinpocetine in an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis by bleomycin and in the MRC-5 cell line. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in BALB/c mice by oropharyngeal aspiration of a single dose of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). The remaining induced animals received a daily dose of pirfenidone (as a standard anti-fibrotic drug) (300 mg/kg/PO) and vinpocetine (20 mg/kg/PO) on day 7 of the induction till the end of the experiment (day 21). The results of the experiment revealed that vinpocetine managed to alleviate the fibrotic endpoints by statistically improving (P ≤ 0.05) the weight index, histopathological score, reduced expression of fibrotic-related proteins in immune-stained lung sections, as well as fibrotic markers measured in serum samples. It also alleviated tissue levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators significantly elevated in bleomycin-only induced animals (P ≤ 0.05). Vinpocetine managed to express a remarkable attenuating effect in pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro either directly by interfering with the classical TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway or indirectly by upregulating the expression of Nrf2 enhancing the antioxidant system, activating PPAR-γ and downregulating the NLRP3/NF-κB pathway making it a candidate for further clinical investigation in cases of pulmonary fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeena A Hussein
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed R Abu-Raghif
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Nibras J Tahseen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Nada S Shaker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pennati F, Belenkov S, Buccardi M, Ferrini E, Sverzellati N, Villetti G, Aliverti A, Stellari FF. Multiphase micro-computed tomography reconstructions provide dynamic respiratory function in a mouse lung fibrosis model. iScience 2024; 27:109262. [PMID: 38433926 PMCID: PMC10907835 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography derived functional biomarkers used in lung disease research can significantly complement end-stage histomorphometric measures while also allowing for longitudinal studies. However, no approach for visualizing lung dynamics across a full respiratory cycle has yet been described. Using bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and the antifibrotic drug nintedanib as a test model, we implemented a four-dimensional (4D) micro-CT imaging approach consisting of 30 reconstructed volumes per respiratory cycle, coupled with deep-learning-assisted segmentation of lung volumes. 4D micro-CT provided an accurate description of inhalatory and exhalatory lung dynamics under resting conditions and revealed an inflammation-related obstructive pattern at day 7, followed by a restrictive pattern associated with fibrosis development at day 21. A milder restriction and fibrotic pathology resulted from nintedanib treatment. The similarity of 4D micro-CT data with those produced by diagnostic measurements, also points to its great potential as an exploratory tool for the discovery of clinically relevant therapeutic compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pennati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Martina Buccardi
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Aliverti
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
He J, Zhao Y, Fu Z, Chen L, Hu K, Lin X, Wang N, Huang W, Xu Q, He S, He Y, Song L, Xia Fang M, Zheng J, Chen B, Cai Q, Fu J, Su J. A novel tree shrew model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. J Adv Res 2024; 56:157-165. [PMID: 37037373 PMCID: PMC10834818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a leading cause of respiratory failure, with substantial attributable morbidity and mortality. The small animal models that are currently used for ARDS do not fully manifest all of the pathological hallmarks of human patients, which hampers both the studies of disease mechanism and drug development. OBJECTIVES To examine whether the phenotypic changes of primate-like tree shrews in response to a one-hit lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injury resemble human ARDS features. METHODS LPS was administered to tree shrews through intratracheal instillation; then, the animals underwent CT or PET/CT imaging to examine the changes in the structure and function of the whole lung. The lung histology was analyzed by H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining of inflammatory cells. RESULTS Results demonstrated that tree shrews exhibited an average survival time of 3-5 days after LPS insult, as well as an obvious symptom of dyspnea before death. The ratios of PaO2 to FiO2 (P/F ratio) were close to those of moderate ARDS in humans. CT imaging showed that the scope of the lung injury in tree shrews after LPS treatment were extensive. PET/CT imaging with 18F-FDG displayed an obvious inflammatory infiltration. Histological analysis detected the formation of a hyaline membrane, which is usually present in human ARDS. CONCLUSION This study established a lung injury model with a primate-like small animal model and confirmed that they have similar features to human ARDS, which might provide a valuable tool for translational research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun He
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yue Zhao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenli Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kongzhen Hu
- Nanfang PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijian Huang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhua He
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying He
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linliang Song
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Xia Fang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biying Chen
- Radiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuyan Cai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangnan Fu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wu J, Gong L, Li Y, Liu T, Sun R, Jia K, Liu R, Dong F, Gu X, Li X. SGK1 aggravates idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by triggering H3k27ac-mediated macrophage reprogramming and disturbing immune homeostasis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:968-986. [PMID: 38250161 PMCID: PMC10797695 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.90808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by fibrotic matrix deposition and irreversible aberrant tissue remodeling. Their mechanisms of action are associated with the activation of macrophages and a disturbed immune environment. We aim to determine how these activated macrophages influenced the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. We found the fibrotic areas of IPF patients contained more serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1)-positive and M2-type macrophages. Similarly, bleomycin (BLM)+LPS significantly triggered high expression of SGK1 in the IPF mice, accompanied by destroyed lung structure and function, increased fibrosis markers and disturbed immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, SGK1 markedly promoted the reprogramming of M2-type macrophages in fibrotic lungs by triggering glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3β)-tat-interacting protein 60 (TIP60)- histone-3 lysine-27 acetylation (H3K27ac) signalings, which further released chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 9 (CCL9) to attract Th17 cells and delivered TGF-β to fibroblasts for synergistically destroying immune microenvironment, which was largely reversed by macrophage depletion in mice. We took macrophages as the entry point to deeply analyze IPF pathogenesis and further provided insights for the development of novel drugs represented by SGK1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Liping Gong
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shan Dong University, 247 Bei Yuan Da Jie, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yijie Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Tiegang Liu
- Institute of Chinese Epidemic Disease, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Rong Sun
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shan Dong University, 247 Bei Yuan Da Jie, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Kexin Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fei Dong
- Institute of Chinese Epidemic Disease, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaohong Gu
- Institute of Chinese Epidemic Disease, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cui Y, Yang Z, Lv Z, Lei J. Disruption of extracellular redox balance drives persistent lung fibrosis and impairs fibrosis resolution. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166842. [PMID: 37558008 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Lung fibrosis is a devastating outcome of various diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Despite rigorous research efforts, the mechanisms that propagate its progressive and nonresolving nature remain enigmatic. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. However, the role of extracellular redox state in disease progression and resolution remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that compartmentalized control over extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by aerosolized delivery of recombinant extracellular superoxide dismutase (ECSOD) suppresses an established bleomycin-induced fibrotic process in mice. Further analysis of publicly available microarray, RNA-seq and single-cell RNAseq datasets reveals a significant decrease in ECSOD expression in fibrotic lung tissues that can be spontaneously restored during fibrosis resolution. Therefore, we investigate the effect of siRNA-mediated ECSOD depletion during the established fibrotic phase on the self-limiting nature of the bleomycin mouse model. Our results demonstrate that in vivo knockdown of ECSOD in mouse fibrotic lungs impairs fibrosis resolution. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 downregulates endogenous ECSOD expression, leading to the accumulation of extracellular superoxide via Smad-mediated signaling and the activation of additional stores of latent TGF-β1. In addition, depletion of endogenous ECSOD during the fibrotic phase in the bleomycin model induces an apoptosis-resistant phenotype in lung fibroblasts through unrestricted Akt signaling. Taken together, our data strongly support the critical role of extracellular redox state in fibrosis persistence and resolution. Based on these findings, we propose that compartment-specific control over extracellular ROS may be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing fibrotic lung disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Cui
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zeran Yang
- Interventional Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Lv
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Lei
- Medical Imaging Laboratory, Research Core Facilities, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dizbay Sak S, Sevim S, Buyuksungur A, Kayı Cangır A, Orhan K. The Value of Micro-CT in the Diagnosis of Lung Carcinoma: A Radio-Histopathological Perspective. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3262. [PMID: 37892083 PMCID: PMC10606474 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a relatively new imaging modality and the three-dimensional (3D) images obtained via micro-CT allow researchers to collect both quantitative and qualitative information on various types of samples. Micro-CT could potentially be used to examine human diseases and several studies have been published on this topic in the last decade. In this study, the potential uses of micro-CT in understanding and evaluating lung carcinoma and the relevant studies conducted on lung and other tumors are summarized. Currently, the resolution of benchtop laboratory micro-CT units has not reached the levels that can be obtained with light microscopy, and it is not possible to detect the histopathological features (e.g., tumor type, adenocarcinoma pattern, spread through air spaces) required for lung cancer management. However, its ability to provide 3D images in any plane of section, without disturbing the integrity of the specimen, suggests that it can be used as an auxiliary technique, especially in surgical margin examination, the evaluation of tumor invasion in the entire specimen, and calculation of primary and metastatic tumor volume. Along with future developments in micro-CT technology, it can be expected that the image resolution will gradually improve, the examination time will decrease, and the relevant software will be more user friendly. As a result of these developments, micro-CT may enter pathology laboratories as an auxiliary method in the pathological evaluation of lung tumors. However, the safety, performance, and cost effectiveness of micro-CT in the areas of possible clinical application should be investigated. If micro-CT passes all these tests, it may lead to the convergence of radiology and pathology applications performed independently in separate units today, and the birth of a new type of diagnostician who has equal knowledge of the histological and radiological features of tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serpil Dizbay Sak
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Selim Sevim
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Arda Buyuksungur
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey
| | - Ayten Kayı Cangır
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Ankara, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Kaan Orhan
- Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhao T, Zhou Z, Zhao S, Wan H, Li H, Hou J, Wang J, Qian M, Shen X. Vincamine as an agonist of G protein-coupled receptor 40 effectively ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis in mice. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 118:154919. [PMID: 37392673 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible and fatal lung disease with limited therapeutic options. G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) has been developed as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders and functions potently in varied pathological and physiological processes. Vincamine (Vin) is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid originated from Madagascar periwinkle and was reported as a GPR40 agonist in our previous work. PURPOSE Here, we aimed to clarify the role of GPR40 in PF pathogenesis by using the determined GPR40 agonist Vin as a probe and explore the potential of Vin in ameliorating PF in mice. METHODS Pulmonary GPR40 expression alterations were assessed in both PF patients and bleomycin-induced PF mice (PF mice). Vin was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GPR40 activation for PF and the underlying mechanism was intensively investigated by assays against GPR40 knockout (Ffar1-/-) mice and the cells transfected with si-GPR40 in vitro. RESULTS Pulmonary GPR40 expression level was highly downregulated in PF patients and PF mice. Pulmonary GPR40 deletion (Ffar1-/-) exacerbated pulmonary fibrosis as evidenced by the increases in mortality, dysfunctional lung index, activated myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in PF mice. Vin-mediated pulmonary GPR40 activation ameliorated PF-like pathology in mice. Mechanistically, Vin suppressed ECM deposition by GPR40/β-arrestin2/SMAD3 pathway, repressed inflammatory response by GPR40/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and inhibited angiogenesis by decreasing GPR40-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the region of interface to normal parenchyma in pulmonary fibrotic tissues of mice. CONCLUSION Pulmonary GPR40 activation shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for PF and Vin exhibits high potential in treating this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhiruo Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shimei Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huiqi Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Honglin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiwei Hou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jiaying Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Minyi Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Buccardi M, Ferrini E, Pennati F, Vincenzi E, Ledda RE, Grandi A, Buseghin D, Villetti G, Sverzellati N, Aliverti A, Stellari FF. A fully automated micro‑CT deep learning approach for precision preclinical investigation of lung fibrosis progression and response to therapy. Respir Res 2023; 24:126. [PMID: 37161569 PMCID: PMC10170869 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (µCT)-based imaging plays a key role in monitoring disease progression and response to candidate drugs in various animal models of human disease, but manual image processing is still highly time-consuming and prone to operator bias. Focusing on an established mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis we document, here, the ability of a fully automated deep-learning (DL)-based model to improve and speed-up lung segmentation and the precise measurement of morphological and functional biomarkers in both the whole lung and in individual lobes. µCT-DL whose results were overall highly consistent with those of more conventional, especially histological, analyses, allowed to cut down by approximately 45-fold the time required to analyze the entire dataset and to longitudinally follow fibrosis evolution and response to the human-use-approved drug Nintedanib, using both inspiratory and expiratory μCT. Particularly significant advantages of this µCT-DL approach, are: (i) its reduced experimental variability, due to the fact that each animal acts as its own control and the measured, operator bias-free biomarkers can be quantitatively compared across experiments; (ii) its ability to monitor longitudinally the spatial distribution of fibrotic lesions, thus eliminating potential confounding effects associated with the more severe fibrosis observed in the apical region of the left lung and the compensatory effects taking place in the right lung; (iii) the animal sparing afforded by its non-invasive nature and high reliability; and (iv) the fact that it can be integrated into different drug discovery pipelines with a substantial increase in both the speed and robustness of the evaluation of new candidate drugs. The µCT-DL approach thus lends itself as a powerful new tool for the precision preclinical monitoring of BLM-induced lung fibrosis and other disease models as well. Its ease of operation and use of standard imaging instrumentation make it easily transferable to other laboratories and to other experimental settings, including clinical diagnostic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Buccardi
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Pennati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vincenzi
- Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Camelot Biomedical System S.R.L, Via Al Ponte Reale 2/20, 16124, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Grandi
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Davide Buseghin
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Aliverti
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lai R, Zhao C, Guo W, Xiao Y, Li R, Liu L, Pan H. The longitudinal and regional analysis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by microcomputed tomography. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15681. [PMID: 37180915 PMCID: PMC10173631 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is powerful for assessment of the progression of lung fibrosis in animal model, but current whole lung analysis (WLA) methods are time-consuming. Here, a longitudinal and regional analysis (LRA) method was developed to assess fibrosis easily and quickly by micro-CT. Method Firstly, we investigated the distribution pattern of lesions in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice. Then, the VOIs for LRA were selected based on the anatomical locations and we compared the robustness, accuracy, repeatability, analysis time of LRA to WLA. Additionally, LRA was applied to assess different stages of pulmonary fibrosis, and was validated with conventional endpoint measurements (such as lung hydroxyproline and histopathology). Results The lesions of fibrosis in 66 bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice were mostly in the middle and upper parts of lungs. By applying LRA, the percentages of high-density voxels in selected volumes of interest (VOIs) were well correlated with that in WLA both at Day 7 and Day 21 after bleomycin induction (R2 = 0.8784 and 0.8464, respectively). The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the percentage of high-density voxels in the VOIs was lower than that of WLA (P < 0.05). The cost time of LRA was shorter than that of WLA (P < 0.05) and the accuracy of LRA was further confirmed by the histological analysis and biochemical quantification of hydroxyproline. Conclusion LRA is probably an easier and more time-saving method to assess fibrosis formation and evaluate treatment efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruogu Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Caiping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Wanyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Runze Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
| | - Hudan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li X, Li Y, Yu C, Bao H, Cheng S, Huang J, Zhang Z. ROS-Responsive Janus Au/Mesoporous Silica Core/Shell Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Long-Term CT Imaging Tracking of MSCs in Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment. ACS NANO 2023; 17:6387-6399. [PMID: 36946383 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been proven to be a potentially effective approach for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment. However, this strategy is currently limited by the poor curative effect and an insufficient comprehension of the in vivo condition of the transplanted MSCs in the remedy of IPF. To address these issues, herein, a nanosystem composed of Janus Au/mesoporous silica core/shell nanoparticles (Janus NPs) is designed for effective therapeutic and real-time tracing of MSCs in MSC-based IPF therapy. The Janus NPs consist of a Au core and a pirfenidone (PFD)-loaded mesoporous silica shell asymmetrically decorated with two targeting moieties: one is reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive thioketal grafted methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-TK), and the other is 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE). The asymmetric decoration on each side of the particle allows long-term anchoring of the Janus NPs on the cell membrane to facilitate the responsive release of PFD in the ROS environment of the fibrotic lung, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the transplanted MSCs by improving the microenvironment. Following drug release, the Janus NPs quickly enter into MSCs, achieving long-term computed tomography (CT) imaging tracing of MSCs in IPF model mice for an in-depth comprehension of the cell therapy mechanism. Overall, this work reports on Janus Au/PFD-loaded mesoporous silica core/shell NPs that combine the drug delivery and imaging tracking of MSCs, which may provide a strategy for the stem cell-based treatment of IPF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Li
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Chenggong Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hongying Bao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shengnan Cheng
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jie Huang
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pennati F, Leo L, Ferrini E, Sverzellati N, Bernardi D, Stellari FF, Aliverti A. Micro-CT-derived ventilation biomarkers for the longitudinal assessment of pathology and response to therapy in a mouse model of lung fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4462. [PMID: 36932122 PMCID: PMC10023700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30402-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental in-vivo animal models are key tools to investigate the pathogenesis of lung disease and to discover new therapeutics. Histopathological and biochemical investigations of explanted lung tissue are currently considered the gold standard, but they provide space-localized information and are not amenable to longitudinal studies in individual animals. Here, we present an imaging procedure that uses micro-CT to extract morpho-functional indicators of lung pathology in a murine model of lung fibrosis. We quantified the decrease of lung ventilation and measured the antifibrotic effect of Nintedanib. A robust structure-function relationship was revealed by cumulative data correlating micro-CT with histomorphometric endpoints. The results highlight the potential of in-vivo micro-CT biomarkers as novel tools to monitor the progression of inflammatory and fibrotic lung disease and to shed light on the mechanism of action of candidate drugs. Our platform is also expected to streamline translation from preclinical studies to human patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pennati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ludovica Leo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Davide Bernardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A., Largo Belloli 11/A 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | - Andrea Aliverti
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Yang X, Huang XJ, Chen Z, Xu AL, Zhou H, Bi XL, Yan PY, Xie Y. A novel quantification method of lung fibrosis based on Micro-CT images developed with the optimized pulmonary fibrosis mice model induced by bleomycin. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13598. [PMID: 36895392 PMCID: PMC9988492 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrosing lung disease with unknown etiology, leading to cough and dyspnoea, which is also one of the most common sequelae affecting the quality of life of COVID-19 survivors. There is no cure for IPF patients. We aim to develop a reliable IPF animal model with quantification of fibrosis based on Micro-Computer Tomography (micro-CT) images for the new drug discovery, because different bleomycin administration routes, doses, and intervals are reported in the literature, and there is no quantitative assessment of pulmonary fibrosis based on micro-CT images in animal studies. Methods We compared three dosages (1.25 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg) of intratracheal bleomycin administration and experiment intervals (14 and 21 days) in C57BL/6 mice by investigating survival rates, pulmonary histopathology, micro-CT, peripheral CD4+ & CD8+ cells, and cytokines. Moreover, a simple and reliable new method was developed for scoring fibrosis in live mice based on Micro-CT images by using Image J software, which transfers the dark sections in pulmonary Micro-CT images to light colors on a black background. Results The levels of hydroxyproline, inflammation cytokine, fibrotic pathological changes, and collagen deposition in the lungs of mice were bleomycin dose-dependent and time-dependent as well as the body weight loss. Based on the above results, the mice model at 21 days after being given bleomycin at 1.25 mg/kg has optimal pulmonary fibrosis with a high survival rate and low toxicity. There is a significant decrease in the light area (gray value at 9.86 ± 0.72) in the BLM mice, indicating that a significant decrease in the alveolar air area was observed in BLM injured mice compared to normal groups (###p < 0.001), while the Pirfenidone administration increased the light area (gray value) to 21.71 ± 2.95 which is close to the value observed in the normal mice (gray value at 23.23 ± 1.66), which is consistent with the protein levels of Col1A1, and α-SMA. Notably, the standard deviations for the consecutive six images of each group indicate the precision of this developed quantitation method for the micro-CT image taken at the fifth rib of each mouse. Conclusion Provided a quantifying method for Micro-CT images in an optimal and repeatable pulmonary fibrosis mice model for exploring novel therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Xue-Jun Huang
- Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Ai-Li Xu
- Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Li Bi
- Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Pei-Yu Yan
- Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Principi L, Ferrini E, Ciccimarra R, Pagani L, Chinello C, Previtali P, Smith A, Villetti G, Zoboli M, Ravanetti F, Stellari FF, Magni F, Piga I. Proteomic Fingerprint of Lung Fibrosis Progression and Response to Therapy in Bleomycin-Induced Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054410. [PMID: 36901840 PMCID: PMC10002924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by the aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix in the lungs. nintedanib is one of the two FDA-approved drugs for IPF treatment; however, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of fibrosis progression and response to therapy are still poorly understood. In this work, the molecular fingerprint of fibrosis progression and response to nintedanib treatment have been investigated by mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomics in paraffin-embedded lung tissues from bleomycin-induced (BLM) pulmonary fibrosis mice. Our proteomics results unveiled that (i) samples clustered depending on the tissue fibrotic grade (mild, moderate, and severe) and not on the time course after BLM treatment; (ii) the dysregulation of different pathways involved in fibrosis progression such as the complement coagulation cascades, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs) signaling, the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and ribosomes; (iii) Coronin 1A (Coro1a) as the protein with the highest correlation when evaluating the progression of fibrosis, with an increased expression from mild to severe fibrosis; and (iv) a total of 10 differentially expressed proteins (padj-value ≤ 0.05 and Fold change ≤-1.5 or ≥1.5), whose abundance varied in the base of the severity of fibrosis (mild and moderate), were modulated by the antifibrotic treatment with nintedanib, reverting their trend. Notably, nintedanib significantly restored lactate dehydrogenase B (Ldhb) expression but not lactate dehydrogenase A (Ldha). Notwithstanding the need for further investigations to validate the roles of both Coro1a and Ldhb, our findings provide an extensive proteomic characterization with a strong relationship with histomorphometric measurements. These results unveil some biological processes in pulmonary fibrosis and drug-mediated fibrosis therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Principi
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Ciccimarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Lisa Pagani
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Clizia Chinello
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo Previtali
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Andrew Smith
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Zoboli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Experimental Pharmacology & Translational Science Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., 43122 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.S.); (I.P.)
| | - Fulvio Magni
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Isabella Piga
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.S.); (I.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Grandi A, Ferrini E, Mecozzi L, Ciccimarra R, Zoboli M, Leo L, Khalajzeyqami Z, Kleinjan A, Löwik CWGM, Donofrio G, Villetti G, Stellari FF. Indocyanine-enhanced mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis with hallmarks of progressive emphysema. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 324:L211-L227. [PMID: 36625471 PMCID: PMC9925167 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00180.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis strongly relies on preclinical experimentation, which requires the continuous improvement of animal models and integration with in vivo imaging data. Here, we investigated the lung distribution of bleomycin (BLM) associated with the indocyanine green (ICG) dye by fluorescence imaging. A long-lasting lung retention (up to 21 days) was observed upon oropharyngeal aspiration (OA) of either ICG or BLM + ICG, with significantly more severe pulmonary fibrosis, accompanied by the progressive appearance of emphysema-like features, uniquely associated with the latter combination. More severe and persistent lung fibrosis, together with a progressive air space enlargement uniquely associated with the BLM + ICG group, was confirmed by longitudinal micro-computed tomography (CT) and histological analyses. Multiple inflammation and fibrosis biomarkers were found to be increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of BLM- and BLM + ICG-treated animals, but with a clear trend toward a much stronger increase in the latter group. Similarly, in vitro assays performed on macrophage and epithelial cell lines revealed a significantly more marked cytotoxicity in the case of BLM + ICG-treated mice. Also unique to this group was the synergistic upregulation of apoptotic markers both in lung sections and cell lines. Although the exact mechanism underlying the more intense lung fibrosis phenotype with emphysema-like features induced by BLM + ICG remains to be elucidated, we believe that this combination treatment, whose overall effects more closely resemble the human disease, represents a valuable alternative model for studying fibrosis development and for the identification of new antifibrotic compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Grandi
- 1Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- 2Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Mecozzi
- 3Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Zoboli
- 2Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ludovica Leo
- 3Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Zahra Khalajzeyqami
- 4Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alex Kleinjan
- 5Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens W. G. M. Löwik
- 6Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- 2Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- 1Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Luisi JD, Lin JL, Ochoa LF, McAuley RJ, Tanner MG, Alfarawati O, Wright CW, Vargas G, Motamedi M, Ameredes BT. Semi-automated micro-computed tomography lung segmentation and analysis in mouse models. MethodsX 2023; 10:102198. [PMID: 37152666 PMCID: PMC10154963 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Computed Tomography (CT) is a standard clinical tool utilized to diagnose known lung pathologies based on established grading methods. However, for preclinical trials and toxicity investigations in animal models, more comprehensive datasets are typically needed to determine discriminative features between experimental treatments, which oftentimes require analysis of multiple images and their associated differential quantification using manual segmentation methods. Furthermore, for manual segmentation of image data, three or more readers is the gold standard of analysis, but this requirement can be time-consuming and inefficient, depending on variability due to reader bias. In previous papers, microCT image manual segmentation was a valuable tool for assessment of lung pathology in several animal models; however, the manual segmentation approach and the commercial software used was typically a major rate-limiting step. To improve the efficiency, the semi-manual segmentation method was streamlined, and a semi-automated segmentation process was developed to produce:•Quantifiable segmentations: using manual and semi-automated analysis methods for assessing experimental injury and toxicity models,•Deterministic results and efficiency through automation in an unbiased and parameter free process, thereby reducing reader variance, user time, and increases throughput in data analysis,•Cost-Effectiveness: portable with low computational resource demand, based on a cross-platform open-source ImageJ program.
Collapse
|
19
|
Vincenzi E, Fantazzini A, Basso C, Barla A, Odone F, Leo L, Mecozzi L, Mambrini M, Ferrini E, Sverzellati N, Stellari FF. A fully automated deep learning pipeline for micro-CT-imaging-based densitometry of lung fibrosis murine models. Respir Res 2022; 23:308. [DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the archetype of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), is a chronic lung disease of a poor prognosis, characterized by progressively worsening of lung function. Although histology is still the gold standard for PF assessment in preclinical practice, histological data typically involve less than 1% of total lung volume and are not amenable to longitudinal studies. A miniaturized version of computed tomography (µCT) has been introduced to radiologically examine lung in preclinical murine models of PF. The linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and tissue density allows lung densitometry on total lung volume. However, the huge density changes caused by PF usually require manual segmentation by trained operators, limiting µCT deployment in preclinical routine. Deep learning approaches have achieved state-of-the-art performance in medical image segmentation. In this work, we propose a fully automated deep learning approach to segment right and left lung on µCT imaging and subsequently derive lung densitometry. Our pipeline first employs a convolutional network (CNN) for pre-processing at low-resolution and then a 2.5D CNN for higher-resolution segmentation, combining computational advantage of 2D and ability to address 3D spatial coherence without compromising accuracy. Finally, lungs are divided into compartments based on air content assessed by density. We validated this pipeline on 72 mice with different grades of PF, achieving a Dice score of 0.967 on test set. Our tests demonstrate that this automated tool allows for rapid and comprehensive analysis of µCT scans of PF murine models, thus laying the ground for its wider exploitation in preclinical settings.
Collapse
|
20
|
Dullin C, Svetlove A, Zschüntzsch J, Alves F. Simultaneous assessment of lung morphology and respiratory motion in retrospectively gated in-vivo microCT of free breathing anesthetized mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13299. [PMID: 35918439 PMCID: PMC9345384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrospective gating (RG) is a well established technique in preclinical computed tomography (CT) to assess 3D morphology of the lung. In RG additional angular projections are recorded typically by performing multiple rotations. Consequently, the projections are sorted according to the expansion state of the chest and those sets are then reconstructed separately. Thus, the breathing motion artefacts are suppressed at a cost of strongly elevated X-ray dose levels. Here we propose to use the entire raw data to assess respiratory motion in addition to retrospectively gated 3D reconstruction that visualize anatomical structures of the lung. Using this RG based X-ray respiratory motion measurement approach, which will be referred to as RG based X-ray lung function measurement (rgXLF) on the example of the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscle dystrophy (mdx) we accurately obtained both the 3D anatomical morphology of the lung and the thoracic bones as well as functional temporal parameters of the lung. Thus, rgXLF will remove the necessity for separate acquisition procedures by being able to reproduce comparable results to the previously established planar X-ray based lung function measurement approach in a single low dose CT scan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. .,Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany. .,Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Angelika Svetlove
- Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jana Zschüntzsch
- Clinic for Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Göettingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Alves
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany.,Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Camara JA, Pujol A, Jimenez JJ, Donate J, Ferrer M, Vande Velde G. Lung Volume Calculation in Preclinical MicroCT: A Fast Geometrical Approach. J Imaging 2022; 8:jimaging8080204. [PMID: 35893082 PMCID: PMC9330811 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging8080204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we present a time-efficient protocol for thoracic volume calculation as a proxy for total lung volume. We hypothesize that lung volume can be calculated indirectly from this thoracic volume. We compared the measured thoracic volume with manually segmented and automatically thresholded lung volumes, with manual segmentation as the gold standard. A linear regression formula was obtained and used for calculating the theoretical lung volume. This volume was compared with the gold standard volumes. In healthy animals, thoracic volume was 887.45 mm3, manually delineated lung volume 554.33 mm3 and thresholded aerated lung volume 495.38 mm3 on average. Theoretical lung volume was 554.30 mm3. Finally, the protocol was applied to three animal models of lung pathology (lung metastasis and transgenic primary lung tumor and fungal infection). In confirmed pathologic animals, thoracic volumes were: 893.20 mm3, 860.12 and 1027.28 mm3. Manually delineated volumes were 640.58, 503.91 and 882.42 mm3, respectively. Thresholded lung volumes were 315.92 mm3, 408.72 and 236 mm3, respectively. Theoretical lung volume resulted in 635.28, 524.30 and 863.10.42 mm3. No significant differences were observed between volumes. This confirmed the potential use of this protocol for lung volume calculation in pathologic models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Camara
- Preclinical Therapeutics Core, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-628-6293-555
| | - Anna Pujol
- Onna Therapeutics, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Juan Jose Jimenez
- Preclinical Imaging Platform, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.J.J.); (J.D.)
| | - Jaime Donate
- Preclinical Imaging Platform, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.J.J.); (J.D.)
| | - Marina Ferrer
- Gnotobiotics Core Facility, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Khalajzeyqami Z, Grandi A, Ferrini E, Ravanetti F, Leo L, Mambrini M, Giardino L, Villetti G, Stellari FF. Pivotal role of micro-CT technology in setting up an optimized lung fibrosis mouse model for drug screening. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270005. [PMID: 35704641 PMCID: PMC9200302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with no curative pharmacological treatment. The most used animal model of IPF for anti-fibrotic drug screening is bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. However, several issues have been reported: the balance among disease resolution, an appropriate time window for therapeutic intervention and animal welfare remain critical aspects yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, C57Bl/6 male mice were treated with BLM via oropharyngeal aspiration (OA) following either double or triple administration. The fibrosis progression was longitudinally assessed by micro-CT every 7 days for 4 weeks after BLM administration. Quantitative micro-CT measurements highlighted that triple BLM administration was the ideal dose regimen to provoke sustained lung fibrosis up to 28 days. These results were corroborated with lung histology and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid cells. We have developed a mouse model with prolonged lung fibrosis enabling three weeks of a curative therapeutic window for the screening of putative anti-fibrotic drugs. Moreover, we have demonstrated the pivotal role of longitudinal micro-CT imaging in reducing the number of animals required per experiment in which each animal can be its own control. This approach permits a valuable decrease in costs and time to develop disease animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Khalajzeyqami
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Grandi
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-ClinicalR&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Ludovica Leo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Mambrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luciana Giardino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-ClinicalR&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-ClinicalR&D, Parma, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
The importance of routine quality control for reproducible pulmonary measurements by in vivo micro-CT. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9695. [PMID: 35690601 PMCID: PMC9188608 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging provides densitometric and functional assessment of lung diseases in animal models, playing a key role either in understanding disease progression or in drug discovery studies. The generation of reliable and reproducible experimental data is strictly dependent on a system's stability. Quality controls (QC) are essential to monitor micro-CT performance but, although QC procedures are standardized and routinely employed in clinical practice, detailed guidelines for preclinical imaging are lacking. In this work, we propose a routine QC protocol for in vivo micro-CT, based on three commercial phantoms. To investigate the impact of a detected scanner drift on image post-processing, a retrospective analysis using twenty-two healthy mice was performed and lung density histograms used to compare the area under curve (AUC), the skewness and the kurtosis before and after the drift. As expected, statistically significant differences were found for all the selected parameters [AUC 532 ± 31 vs. 420 ± 38 (p < 0.001); skewness 2.3 ± 0.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.1 (p < 0.001) and kurtosis 4.2 ± 0.3 vs. 5.1 ± 0.5 (p < 0.001)], confirming the importance of the designed QC procedure to obtain a reliable longitudinal quantification of disease progression and drug efficacy evaluation.
Collapse
|
24
|
Ciccimarra R, Bolognesi MM, Zoboli M, Cattoretti G, Stellari FF, Ravanetti F. The normal and fibrotic mouse lung classified by spatial proteomic analysis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8742. [PMID: 35610327 PMCID: PMC9130283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12738-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Single cell classification is elucidating homeostasis and pathology in tissues and whole organs. We applied in situ spatial proteomics by multiplex antibody staining to routinely processed mouse lung, healthy and during a fibrosis model. With a limited validated antibody panel (24) we classify the normal constituents (alveolar type I and II, bronchial epithelia, endothelial, muscular, stromal and hematopoietic cells) and by quantitative measurements, we show the progress of lung fibrosis over a 4 weeks course, the changing landscape and the cell-specific quantitative variation of a multidrug transporter. An early decline in AT2 alveolar cells and a progressive increase in stromal cells seems at the core of the fibrotic process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matteo Zoboli
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Cattoretti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Franco F Stellari
- Corporate Preclinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A., Largo Belloli 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Galdino de Souza D, Santos DS, Simon KS, Morais JAV, Coelho LC, Pacheco TJA, Azevedo RB, Bocca AL, Melo-Silva CA, Longo JPF. Fish Oil Nanoemulsion Supplementation Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis BALB/c Mice. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12101683. [PMID: 35630905 PMCID: PMC9145453 DOI: 10.3390/nano12101683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diets rich in omega-3 or -6 fatty acids will produce different profiles for cell membranes phospholipid constitutions. Omegas 3 and 6 are part of the diet and can modulate the inflammatory profile. We evaluated the effects of the oral absorption of fish oil, when associated with a lipid nanoemulsion in an experimental pulmonary inflammatory model. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease associated with excessive extracellular matrix deposition. We determined to investigate the morphophysiological mechanisms in mice that were pretreated after induction with bleomycin (BLM). The pretreatment was for 21 days with saline solution, sunflower oil (SO), fish oil (FO), and fish oil nanoemulsion (NEW3). The animals received a daily dose of 50 mg/Kg of docosahexaenoic acid DHA and 10 mg/Kg eicosapentaenoic (EPA) (100 mg/Kg), represented by a daily dose of 40 µL of NEW3. The blank group was treated with the same amount daily (40 µL) during the 21 days of pretreatment. The animals were treated with SO and FO, 100 mg/Kg (containing 58 mg/Kg of polyunsaturated fats/higher% linoleic acid) and 100 mg/Kg (50 mg/Kg of DHA and 10 mg/Kg EPA), respectively. A single dose of 5 mg/mL (50 μL) bleomycin sulfate, by the intratracheal surgical method in BALB/cAnNTac (BALB/c). NEW3 significantly reduced fibrotic progression, which can be evidenced by the protection from loss of body mass, increase in respiratory incursions per minute, decreased spacing of alveolar septa, decreased severity of fibrosis, and changes in the respiratory system. NEW3 attenuated the inflammatory changes developed in the experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis, while group SO showed a significant increase in inflammatory changes. This concluded that the presented results demonstrated that is possible to positively modulate the immune and inflamamtory response to an external agressor, by changing the nutitional intake of specific fatty acids, such as omega-3 placed in fish oil. Moreover, these benefits can be improved by the nanoencapsulation of fish oil in lipid nanoemulsions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Galdino de Souza
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
| | - Débora Silva Santos
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
| | - Karina Smidt Simon
- Applied Immunology Laboratory, Cell Biology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (K.S.S.); (L.C.C.); (A.L.B.)
| | - José Athayde Vasconcelos Morais
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
| | - Luísa Coutinho Coelho
- Applied Immunology Laboratory, Cell Biology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (K.S.S.); (L.C.C.); (A.L.B.)
| | - Thyago José Arruda Pacheco
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
| | - Ricardo Bentes Azevedo
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
| | - Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Applied Immunology Laboratory, Cell Biology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (K.S.S.); (L.C.C.); (A.L.B.)
| | - César Augusto Melo-Silva
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - João Paulo Figueiró Longo
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (D.G.d.S.); (D.S.S.); (J.A.V.M.); (T.J.A.P.); (R.B.A.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Choi S, Choi J, Cheon S, Song J, Kim SY, Kim JE, Nam DH, Manzar G, Kim SM, Kang HS, Kim KK, Jeong SH, Lee JH, Park EK, Lee M, Lee HA, Kim KS, Park HJ, Oh WK, Park C, Lee CH, Kim EM. Pulmonary fibrosis model using micro-CT analyzable human PSC-derived alveolar organoids containing alveolar macrophage-like cells. Cell Biol Toxicol 2022; 38:557-575. [PMID: 35267148 PMCID: PMC8907399 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human lung organoids (hLOs) are useful for disease modelling and drug screening. However, a lack of immune cells in hLOs limits the recapitulation of in vivo cellular physiology. Here, we generated hLOs containing alveolar macrophage (AMφ)–like cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSC). To bridge hLOs with advanced human lung high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT), we acquired quantitative micro-CT images. Three hLO types were observed during differentiation. Among them, alveolar hLOs highly expressed not only lung epithelial cell markers but also AMφ-specific markers. Furthermore, CD68+ AMφ-like cells were spatially organized on the luminal epithelial surface of alveolar hLOs. Bleomycin-treated alveolar hLOs showed upregulated expression of fibrosis-related markers and extracellular matrix deposits in the alveolar sacs. Alveolar hLOs also showed structural alterations such as excessive tissue fraction under bleomycin treatment. Therefore, we suggest that micro-CT analyzable PSC-derived alveolar hLOs are a promising in vitro model to predict lung toxicity manifestations, including fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seri Choi
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.,Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoong Choi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Seongmin Cheon
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihong Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, 95128, USA
| | - Seung-Yeon Kim
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Kim
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hwan Nam
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Gohar Manzar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77025, USA
| | - Su-Man Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Sik Kang
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Kee K Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Jeong
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 123, Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Han Lee
- Department of Pathology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 123, Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kee Park
- Department of Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, 49267, Republic of Korea
| | - Minseob Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang-Ae Lee
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Suk Kim
- R&D Center for Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Evaluation, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Jin Park
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Keun Oh
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chungoo Park
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang Hyun Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun-Mi Kim
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sawaya R, Ninomiya K, Onishi R, Arihara N, Tsuji K, Ueda J, Saito S. [In-vivo Evaluation of Bleomycin-induced Lung Fibrosis Model Mouse Using Ultra High-field 7 T-MRI and Micro-CT]. Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi 2021; 77:1288-1297. [PMID: 34803109 DOI: 10.6009/jjrt.2021_jsrt_77.11.1288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to perform longitudinal observation using 4D-computed tomography (CT) and compare images acquired by 3D-CT and 3D-ultrashort echo time (UTE) for evaluation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. METHOD The pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by instilling intratracheally with 50 μl of bleomycin. 4D-CT images were classified into four phases after acquisition and analyzed. To study the effects of respiratory gating, we aquired 3D-CT and 3D-UTE images with and without respiratory gating. For comparison between CT and UTE images, we performed no-triggerd 3D-CT and 3D-UTE under free-breathing. MR signal intensity ratio and CT values were measured in three regions of the upper, middle, and lower lung. RESULTS At 4DCT, total lung volume at maximum inspiration (4th phase) decreased significantly compared with control mouse and the ratio of lung volume at inspiration to expiration also showed a significant decrease. In comparison of the images between with and without respiratory gating, clearer images were obtained by respiratory gating. However, there was no significant difference between both. In comparison between CT and UTE images, magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity ratio and CT value were significantly correlated, but 3D-UTE images showed poor delineation of the lower lung and that near the diaphragm compared with 3D-CT images. CONCLUSION 4D micro-CT and nontriggered 3D UTE-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under free breathing can be useful to evaluate bleomycininduced lung fibrosis model mouse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reika Sawaya
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kotoka Ninomiya
- Course of Medical Physics and Engineering, School of Allied Health Sciences, Osaka University (Current address: Department of Radiology, The Hospital of Hyogo College of Medicine)
| | - Ryutaro Onishi
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Narumi Arihara
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Keiho Tsuji
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Junpei Ueda
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine.,Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital
| | - Shigeyoshi Saito
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Area of Medical Imaging Technology and Science, Division of HealthSciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine.,Department of Advanced Medical Technologies, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ferrini E, Leo L, Corsi L, Catozzi C, Salomone F, Ragionieri L, Pennati F, Stellari FF. A new anesthesia protocol enabling longitudinal lung function measurements in neonatal rabbits by micro-CT. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L1206-L1214. [PMID: 34786984 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00328.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-CT imaging is an emerging technology with many applications in small animals, e.g. the study of pulmonary diseases, although clear guidelines and critical mass of evidence are still missing in the preclinical literature. The neonatal rabbit is a valuable model for studying pulmonary development. However, the longitudinal monitoring of lung function by micro-CT can be challenging. Distinctive datasets corresponding to the end-inspiration and end-expiration phases need to be generated and analyzed to derive lung functional parameters. The quality of CT scans and the reliability of parameters obtained remains highly dependent on the anesthesia protocol used. Three different anesthetic protocols were tested. The combination of dexmedetomidine 0.25 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally followed by 1% isoflurane was found to facilitate CT imaging at 4 and 11 days after birth. Contrarily, isoflurane and ketamine plus xylazine were found unsuitable, and thus not investigated further. Total lung volumes significantly increased at day 11 compared to baseline in both respiratory phases, while lung tissue remained constant. As expected, functional residual capacity, air/tissue ratio and minute ventilation were significantly increased at day 11 in each animal. Those parameters were correlated with inspiratory capacity, compliance, elastance and resistance of both respiratory system and tissue component, as measured by flexiVent. Lung development was also evaluated by histomorphometric analyses. In conclusion, we have identified a safe and suitable anesthesia protocol for micro-CT imaging in neonatal rabbits. Moreover, the possibility to longitudinally measure lung function in the same subject dramatically reduced the intra-experimental variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ludovica Leo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luisa Corsi
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Catozzi
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Salomone
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Parma, Italy
| | - Luisa Ragionieri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Pennati
- Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Song S, Fu Z, Guan R, Zhao J, Yang P, Li Y, Yin H, Lai Y, Gong G, Zhao S, Yu J, Peng X, He Y, Luo Y, Zhong N, Su J. Intracellular hydroxyproline imprinting following resolution of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Eur Respir J 2021; 59:13993003.00864-2021. [PMID: 34561295 PMCID: PMC9068975 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00864-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease with few treatment options. The poor success in developing anti-IPF strategies have impelled researchers to reconsider the importance of choice for animal model and assessment methodologies. Currently, it is still not settled whether the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mouse model finally returns to resolution.This study aimed to follow the dynamic fibrotic features of BLM (Bleomycin)-treated mouse lungs with extended durations through a combination of the latest technologies (micro-CT imaging and histological detection of degraded collagens) with traditional methods. In addition, we also applied immunohistochemistry to explore the distribution of all hydroxyproline-containing molecules.As determined by classical biochemical method, total lung hydroxyproline contents reached peak at 4-week after bleomycin injury and maintained a steady high level thereafter until the end of the experiments (16-week). This result seemed to partially contradict with the changes of other fibrosis evaluation parameters, which indicated a gradual degradation of collagens and a recovery of lung aeration post the fibrosis peak. This inconsistency was well reconciled by our data from immunostaining against hydroxyproline and a fluorescent peptide staining against degraded collagen, together showing large amounts of hydroxyproline-rich degraded collagen fragments detained and enriched within the intracellular regions at 10- or 16-week, rather than at 4-week post the BLM-treatment. Hence, our present data not only offer respiratory researchers a new perspective towards the resolution nature of mouse lung fibrosis, but also remind them to be cautious while using hydroxyproline content assay to evaluate the severity of fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengren Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Zhenli Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Ruijuan Guan
- Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jie Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Penghui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Hang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunxin Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gencheng Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Simin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiangtian Yu
- Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaomin Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying He
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yumei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nanshan Zhong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China .,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China .,Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ravanetti F, Ferrini E, Ragionieri L, Khalajzeyqami Z, Nicastro M, Ridwan Y, Kleinjan A, Villetti G, Grandi A, Stellari FF. SSC-ILD mouse model induced by osmotic minipump delivered bleomycin: effect of Nintedanib. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18513. [PMID: 34531421 PMCID: PMC8445948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97728-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by an excessive production and accumulation of collagen in the skin and internal organs often associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Its pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown and the lack of animal models mimicking the features of the human disease is creating a gap between the selection of anti-fibrotic drug candidates and effective therapies. In this work, we intended to pharmacologically validate a SSc-ILD model based on 1 week infusion of bleomycin (BLM) by osmotic minipumps in C57/BL6 mice, since it will serve as a tool for secondary drug screening. Nintedanib (NINT) has been used as a reference compound to investigate antifibrotic activity either for lung or skin fibrosis. Longitudinal Micro-CT analysis highlighted a significant slowdown in lung fibrosis progression after NINT treatment, which was confirmed by histology. However, no significant effect was observed on lung hydroxyproline content, inflammatory infiltrate and skin lipoatrophy. The modest pharmacological effect reported here could reflect the clinical outcome, highlighting the reliability of this model to better profile potential clinical drug candidates. The integrative approach presented herein, which combines longitudinal assessments with endpoint analyses, could be harnessed in drug discovery to generate more reliable, reproducible and robust readouts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luisa Ragionieri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Zahra Khalajzeyqami
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Nicastro
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Yanto Ridwan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Vascular Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Kleinjan
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Grandi
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kim C, Jeong SH, Kim J, Kang JY, Nam YJ, Togloom A, Cha J, Lee KY, Lee CH, Park EK, Lee JH. Evaluation of the long-term effect of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate in a rat lung model using conventional chest computed tomography with histopathologic analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256756. [PMID: 34492061 PMCID: PMC8423271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been no studies on the effects of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) after a long period of exposure in the rodent model. We aimed to evaluate long-term lung damage after PHMG exposure using conventional chest computed tomography (CT) and histopathologic analysis in a rat model. A PHMG solution was intratracheally administrated to 24 male rats. At 8, 26, and 52 weeks after PHMG instillation, conventional chest CT was performed in all rats and both lungs were extracted for histopathologic evaluation. At 52 weeks after PHMG instillation, four carcinomas had developed in three of the eight rats (37.5%). Bronchiolo-alveolar hyperplasia and adenoma were found in rats at 8, 26, and 52 weeks post-instillation. The number of bronchiolo-alveolar hyperplasia significantly increased over time (P-value for trend< 0.001). The severity of lung fibrosis and fibrosis scores significantly increased over time (P-values for trend = 0.002 and 0.023, respectively). Conventional chest CT analysis showed that bronchiectasis and linear density scores suggestive of fibrosis significantly increased over time (P-value for trend < 0.001). Our study revealed that one instillation of PHMG in a rat model resulted in lung carcinomas and progressive and irreversible fibrosis one year later based on conventional chest CT and histopathologic analysis. PHMG may be a lung carcinogen in the rat model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cherry Kim
- Department of Radiology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Jeong
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Kim
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Ja Young Kang
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Yoon Jeong Nam
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Ariunaa Togloom
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Jaehyung Cha
- Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Ki Yeol Lee
- Department of Radiology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Chang Hyun Lee
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Kee Park
- Department of Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ju-Han Lee
- Department of Pathology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kogan MI, Popov IV, Kirichenko EY, Mitrin BI, Sadyrin EV, Kulaeva ED, Popov IV, Kulba SN, Logvinov AK, Akimenko MA, Pasechnik DG, Tkachev SY, Karnaukhov NS, Lapteva TO, Sukhar IA, Maksimov AY, Ermakov AM. X-ray micro-computed tomography in the assessment of penile cavernous fibrosis in a rabbit castration model. Andrology 2021; 9:1467-1480. [PMID: 34236146 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current assessment methods of penile cavernous fibrosis in animal models have limitations due to the inability to provide complex and volume analysis of fibrotic alterations. OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for assessment of cavernous fibrosis and compare it with histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A controlled trial was performed involving 25 New Zealand male rabbits with induced testosterone deficiency by orchidectomy. Penile samples were obtained before and after 7, 14, 21, 84 days from orchidectomy. We consistently performed: a) gray value analysis of corpora cavernosa 3D models reconstructed after micro-CT; b) morphometry of smooth muscles/connective tissue ratio, collagen type I/III ratio, and area of TGF-beta-1 expression in corpora cavernosa; c) RT-PCR of TGF-beta-1 expression. RESULTS Micro-CT allowed visualization of penile structures at the resolution comparable to light microscopy. Gray values of corpora cavernosa decreased from 1673 (1512-1773) on the initial day to 1184 (1089-1232) on 21 day (p < 0,005); however, on 84 day, it increased to 1610 (1551-1768). At 21 and 84 days, there were observed a significant decrease in smooth muscle/connective tissue ratio and a significant increase in collagen type I/III ratio (p < 0,05). TGF-beta1 expression increased on 84 day according to immunohistochemistry (p < 0,005). RT-PCR was impossible to conduct due to the absence of RNA in obtained samples after micro-CT. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Micro-CT provided 3D visualization of entire corpora cavernosa and assessment of radiodensity alterations by gray value analysis in fibrosis progression. We speculate that gray value changes at early and late fibrosis stages could be related to tissue reorganization. RT-PCR is impossible to conduct on tissue samples studied by micro-CT due to RNA destruction. We also suggest that micro-CT could negatively affect the immunohistochemical outcome, as a significant increase of TGF-beta-1 expression occurs later than histological fibrotic signs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M I Kogan
- Department of urology and reproductive health (with the course of pediatric urology-andrology), Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - Igor V Popov
- Department of urology and reproductive health (with the course of pediatric urology-andrology), Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation.,Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - E Y Kirichenko
- Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation.,Academy of Biology and Biotechnology named after D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - B I Mitrin
- Research and Education Centre "Materials", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - E V Sadyrin
- Research and Education Centre "Materials", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - E D Kulaeva
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology named after D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - Ilya V Popov
- Department of urology and reproductive health (with the course of pediatric urology-andrology), Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation.,Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - S N Kulba
- Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - A K Logvinov
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology named after D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - M A Akimenko
- Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation.,Department of medical biology and genetics, Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - D G Pasechnik
- Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - S Yu Tkachev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - N S Karnaukhov
- Moscow Clinical Research Center named after A.S. Loginov, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - T O Lapteva
- National Medical Research Centre for Oncology, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - I A Sukhar
- National Medical Research Centre for Oncology, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - A Yu Maksimov
- National Medical Research Centre for Oncology, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| | - A M Ermakov
- Faculty "Bioengineering and veterinary medicine", Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|