Fetal tracheal occlusion in lambs with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: role of exogenous surfactant at birth

Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion-Synergic Therapies in the Prenatal Treatment of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively rare and severe developmental disease. Even with the most recent multidisciplinary therapies, the risk for neonatal mortality and morbidity remains high. Recent advancements in prenatal treatments, alongside experimental and clinical data, suggest that fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) promotes lung development and offers a promising strategy against lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. It is the only existing direct mechanical therapy that intervenes in the regulation of pulmonary pressure. Its influence on lung development also interferes with tissue homeostasis and cell differentiation; it also enhances inflammation and apoptosis. Its physiopathology on cellular and molecular levels is still poorly understood. Unfortunately, the procedure also carries significant pregnancy-, maternal-, and fetus-related risks. Assessing a multifaceted intervention requires a collective view of all aspects. This scoping review uncovers potential materno-fetal procedure-related risks and highlights innovative solutions. Future research on lung development therapies in CDH may focus on the "dual hit" mechanism, combining molecular-targeting drugs and regenerative medicine with the mechanical nature of FETO for synergistic effects.

The Delivery Room Resuscitation of Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated with Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion: Beyond the Balloon

INTRODUCTION

Randomized controlled trials found that fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) resulted in increased fetal lung volume and improved survival for infants with isolated, severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The delivery room resuscitation of these infants is particularly unique, and the specific delivery room events are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the delivery room resuscitation of infants treated with FETO to standard of care (SOC) and describe lessons learned.

METHODS

Retrospective single-center cohort study of infants treated with FETO compared to infants who met FETO criteria during the same period but who received SOC.

RESULTS

FETO infants were more likely to be born prematurely with 8/12 infants born <35 weeks gestational age compared to 3/35 SOC infants. There were 5 infants who required emergent balloon removal (2 ex utero intrapartum treatment and 3 tracheoscopic removal on placental bypass with delayed cord clamping) and 7 with prenatal balloon removal. Surfactant was administered in 6/12 FETO (50%) infants compared to 2/35 (6%) in the SOC group. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use was lower at 25% and survival was higher at 92% compared to 60% and 71% in the SOC infants, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The delivery room resuscitation of infants treated with FETO requires thoughtful preparation with an experienced multidisciplinary team. Given increased survival, FETO should be offered to infants with severe isolated left-sided CDH, but only in high-volume centers with the experience and capability of removing the balloon, emergently if needed. The neonatal clinical team must be skilled in managing the unique postnatal physiology inherent to FETO where effective interdisciplinary teamwork is essential. Empiric and immediate surfactant administration should be considered in all FETO infants to lavage thick airway secretions, particularly those delivered <48 h after balloon removal.

Basic and translational science advances in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a birth defect that is characterized by lung hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension and a diaphragmatic defect that allows herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity. Although widely unknown to the public, it occurs as frequently as cystic fibrosis (1:2500). There is no monogenetic cause, but different animal models revealed various biological processes and epigenetic factors involved in the pathogenesis. However, the pathobiology of CDH is not sufficiently understood and its mortality still ranges between 30 and 50%. Future collaborative initiatives are required to improve our basic knowledge and advance novel strategies to (prenatally) treat the abnormal lung development. This review focusses on the genetic, epigenetic and protein background and the latest advances in basic and translational aspects of CDH research.

The proportion of alveolar type 1 cells decreases in murine hypoplastic congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypoplasia, characterized by incomplete alveolar development, remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Recently demonstrated to differentiate from a common bipotent progenitor during development, the two cell types that line the alveoli type 1 and type 2 alveolar cells have shown to alter their relative ratio in congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs.

OBJECTIVE

We used the nitrofen/bisdiamine mouse model to induce congenital diaphragmatic hernia and accurately assess the status of alveolar epithelial cell differentiation in relation to the common bipotent progenitors.

STUDY DESIGN

Pregnant Swiss mice were gavage-fed with nitrofen/bisdiamine or vehicle at embryonic day 8.5. The administered dose was optimized by assessing the survival, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and facial abnormality rates of the exposed mouse pups. NanoCT was performed on embryonic day 11.5 and 16.5 to assess the embryonic and early canalicular stages of lung development. At embryonic day 17.5 corresponding to late canalicular stage, congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs were characterized by measuring the lung weight/body weight ratio, morphometry, epithelial cell marker gene expression levels and alveolar cell type quantification.

RESULTS

Nitrofen/bisdiamine associated congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs showed delayed development, hypoplasia with morphologic immaturity and thickened alveolar walls. Expression levels of distal epithelial progenitor marker Id2 increased, alveolar type 1 cell markers Pdpn and Hopx decreased, while type 2 cell markers pro-SPC and Muc1 remained constant during the canalicular stage. The number of Pdpn+ type 1 alveolar cells also decreased in congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs.

CONCLUSION

The mouse nitrofen/bisdiamine model is a potential model allowing the study of congenital diaphragmatic hernia lung development from early stages using a wide array of methods. Based on this model, the alveolar epithelium showed a decrease in the number of alveolar type 1 cell in congenital diaphragmatic hernia lungs while type 2 cell population remains unchanged.

Standardization of pulmonary ventilation technique using volume-controlled ventilators in rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

OBJECTIVE

To standardize a technique for ventilating rat fetuses with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) using a volume-controlled ventilator.

METHODS

Pregnant rats were divided into the following groups: a) control (C); b) exposed to nitrofen with CDH (CDH); and c) exposed to nitrofen without CDH (N-). Fetuses of the three groups were randomly divided into the subgroups ventilated (V) and non-ventilated (N-V). Fetuses were collected on day 21.5 of gestation, weighed and ventilated for 30 minutes using a volume-controlled ventilator. Then the lungs were collected for histological study. We evaluated: body weight (BW), total lung weight (TLW), left lung weight (LLW), ratios TLW / BW and LLW / BW, morphological histology of the airways and causes of failures of ventilation.

RESULTS

BW, TLW, LLW, TLW / BW and LLW / BW were higher in C compared with N- (p <0.05) and CDH (p <0.05), but no differences were found between the subgroups V and N-V (p> 0.05). The morphology of the pulmonary airways showed hypoplasia in groups N- and CDH, with no difference between V and N-V (p <0.05). The C and N- groups could be successfully ventilated using a tidal volume of 75 ìl, but the failure of ventilation in the CDH group decreased only when ventilated with 50 ìl.

CONCLUSION

Volume ventilation is possible in rats with CDH for a short period and does not alter fetal or lung morphology.

BMP4 and LGL1 are Down Regulated in an Ovine Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Background/Purpose: The molecular pathophysiology of lung hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains poorly understood. The Wnt signaling pathway and downstream targets, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) 4 and other factors such as late gestation lung protein 1 (LGL1), are essential to normal lung development. Nitrofen-induced hypoplastic CDH rodent lungs demonstrate down regulation of the Wnt pathway including BMP4 and reduced LGL1 expression. The aim of the current study was to examine the molecular pathophysiology associated with a surgically induced CDH in an ovine model.

Methods: Left thoracotomy was performed at 80 days in 14 fetal sheep; CDH was created in seven experimental animals. Lungs were harvested at 136 days (term = 145 days). Lung weight (LW) and mean terminal bronchiole density (MTBD) were measured to determine the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia. Quantitative real time PCR was undertaken to analyze Wnt2, Wnt7b, BMP4, and LGL1 mRNA expression.

Results: Total LW was decreased while MTBD was increased in the CDH group (p < 0.05), confirming pulmonary hypoplasia. BMP4 and LGL1 mRNA was significantly reduced in CDH lungs (p < 0.05). Wnt2 mRNA was decreased, although not significantly (p < 0.06).

Conclusion: For the first time, down regulation of BMP4 and LGL1 are reported in an ovine CDH model. In contrast to other animal models, these changes are persistent to near term. These findings suggest that mechanical compression from herniated viscera may play a more important role in causing pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH, rather than a primary defect in lung organogenesis.

Effect of prenatal tetrandrine administration on transforming growth factor-beta1 level in the lung of nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia rat model

PURPOSE

Tetrandrine (Tet) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the root of Stephania tetrandra, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients with silicosis, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension, and others and can be used as a pulmonary therapeutic agent. We hypothesized that it can also improve the lung growth in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) for its multiple biological effects. There are increasing evidences that suggest transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-beta1) plays a crucial role in fetal lung growth and morphogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prenatal administration of Tet and to investigate its possible mechanism on the expression of TGF-beta1 in the lung of nitrofen-induced CDH rat model.

METHODS

A CDH model was induced in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation (Ed9.5 term, day 22). Tetrandrine (30 mg/kg) was given through gavage (once a day, for 3 days) on Ed11.5. Accordingly, there were 3 groups as follows: control (n = 9), CDH (n = 9), and CDH + Tet (n = 9). All the fetuses were delivered by cesarean delivery on Ed16.5, 18.5, and 21.5, respectively, to check if diaphragmatic hernia existed on each fetus, then the lung tissue weight (LW) and body weight (BW) of each fetus were recorded. Histologic evaluations and TGF-beta1 immunohistochemistry staining in the lung sample were performed for image analysis.

RESULTS

Diaphragmatic hernia was observed in 95 of the 112 rat fetuses in CDH and CDH + Tet groups on Ed18.5 and Ed21.5 (84.8%), the incidence between the 2 groups had no statistical significance (P = .642). Lung weight/body weight in the CDH group and the CDH + Tet group were lower than that in the control group (P < .01), and LW/BW in the CDH group was lower than that in the CDH + Tet group (P < .05). Observed under the light microscope and electron microscope, marked hypoplasia of the lungs in fetuses among the CDH groups was observed, in contrast to improvement of the lungs in CDH + Tet fetuses. Statistical differences in morphological parameters (percentage of alveoli area, counting bronchus) were found even on Ed16.5 when diaphragm had not closed (P < .01). The number of type II pneumocytes and lamellar bodies in each group had no significant difference (P > .05). The immunoreactivity of TGF-beta1 in CDH group and CDH + Tet group were markedly stronger than that in the control group (P < .01). In addition, TGF-beta1 expression in the CDH group was stronger than that in the CDH + Tet group (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Nitrofen can interfere with lung development early in the fetal rat development before and separate from diaphragm development, and increased expression of TGF-beta1 in the lung of CDH rat model may suppress lung growth and development. Prenatal treatment with Tet can improve the growth of the lung of the nitrofen-induced CDH fetuses and its mechanism seems to be involved in downregulating the expression of TGF-beta1. It is a likely new approach to treat CDH and its coexistent lung hypoplasia by maternal Tet administration.

Prenatal tetrandrine treatment can reverse the abnormal conditions in the lung of newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Pulmonary hypoplasia and persistent pulmonary hypertension are the most important reasons for the high morbidity and mortality of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Despite surgical advances and advances in neonatal intensive care, the mortality still remains high. Then the research on how to improve prenatal fetal lung growth has become a focus. Some researches involved in fetal surgery, tracheal occlusion, prenatal use of corticosteroids etc., have been carried out in CDH animal models and humans. But the results either showed no benefit for the outcome of CDH or were unproved. Tetrandrine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the root of Stephania tetrandra. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for several decades to treat patients with silicosis, asthma and pulmonary hypertension etc. Some researches showed that prenatal tetrandrine administration can improve the lung development in CDH rat models. We hypothesize that prenatal treatment with tetrandrine can reverse the abnormal condition in the lung of newborn with CDH, and thus decrease the mortality.

Main bronchus occlusion for treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in fetal lambs

PURPOSE

The present study investigates a new surgical approach in the treatment of left diaphragmatic hernia in fetal sheep. We postulated that unlike tracheal occlusion where both lungs are occluded, selective left main bronchus occlusion (LMBO) would accelerate growth of only the left lung, reduce left visceral herniation, and recover space in the both thoraces necessary for lung development.

METHODS

Left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was surgically created in 8 fetal lambs at approximately 65 days of gestation; in 4 of these animals, LMBO was performed at approximately 118 days. Four sham-operated animals served as controls. Lambs were delivered by hysterotomy at 137 days. We measured lung-to-body weight ratios, alveolar surface area, septal wall thickness, and AE2 cell density in the left and right lungs.

RESULTS

Left main bronchus occlusion increased (P < .05) left lung growth causing severe right mediastinal shift but failed to reduce herniated abdominal viscera in 3 of 4 lambs. Wet lung-to-body weight ratio in LMBO group was similar to that of the control group; however, this was achieved by overgrowth of left lung, whereas the right wet lung-to-body weight ratio remained low. In the LMBO group, right lung AE2 cell density was higher than that of control group and not different to that of the CDH group.

CONCLUSIONS

Left main bronchus occlusion failed to restore normal pulmonary development in CDH.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may be as high as 1 in 2000. Over the past two decades, antenatal diagnosis rates have increased, the pathophysiology of CDH has become better understood, and advances in clinical care, including foetal surgery, have occurred. However, there remains a paucity of randomised controlled trials to provide evidence-based management guidelines. Reports of improved survival rates appear to be confined to a select subset of CDH infants, surviving to surgical repair, while the overall mortality, at over 60%, appears to be unchanged, largely due to the often forgotten 'hidden mortality' of CDH. The significant long-term morbidity in surviving infants has become apparent, and the need for long-term multidisciplinary follow up established. A total of 10% of cases may present later in life, and misdiagnosis on initial chest X-ray may lead to significant morbidity.

Fetal Tracheal Occlusion for the Treatment of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) continues to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity rates despite advances in neonatal care. Fetal intervention for CDH has been studied for 25 years. After initial difficulties encountered with open fetal repair, attention has turned to tracheal occlusion (TO) as a method to correct pulmonary hypoplasia before birth. This article reviews our contribution to this field of research and outlines the current status of this treatment modality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the fetal lamb model, we have studied the effects of fetal TO on tracheal fluid pressure, lung growth and type II pneumocyte maturation, and surfactant production. We developed a minimally invasive and reversible technique of TO, using a detachable balloon placed using single-port tracheoscopy. We examined differential lung growth, structural maturation, pulmonary artery remodeling, and lung function during an 8-h resuscitation period in lambs, comparing normal controls, lambs with a surgically created CDH, those with CDH+TO, and those with CDH+TO and release of TO 1 week before delivery. We also studied the potential benefits of maternal betamethasone administration and the administration of surfactant at birth. Using a neonatal piglet model, we examined the effect of postnatal pulmonary distension with perfluorocarbon on lung growth. More recently, we turned to the rat nitrofen-induced CDH model to study the effects of TO on bronchial branching and some molecular markers of lung growth (Shh and LGL1).

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal TO is being used to treat human CDH, but its application remains limited by the absence of reliable and widely reproducible prenatal prognostic criteria. A better understanding of the molecular events guiding the lung growth seen with TO may help to refine its use in humans.

Tracheal occlusion: A review of obstructing fetal lungs to make them grow and mature

Fetal lung growth and functional differentiation are affected strongly by the extent that pulmonary tissue is distended (expanded) by liquid that naturally fills developing future airspaces. Methods that prevent normal egress of this lung fluid through the trachea magnify mechanical stretching of lung parenchymal cells, thereby promoting lung development. Indeed, experimental observations demonstrate that in utero tracheal occlusion (TO) performed on fetuses during the late canalicular-early saccular stage potently stimulates pulmonary growth and maturation. In this review, we present the four principle non-human animal models of TO/obstruction and discuss them in relation to their utility in elucidating lung development, in remedying congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) as well as in investigating the stretching effects on growth and remodeling of the fine vasculature.

Prenatal glucocorticoids and exogenous surfactant therapy improve respiratory function in lambs with severe diaphragmatic hernia following fetal tracheal occlusion

Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) accelerates lung growth and can reverse severe lung hypoplasia associated with diaphragmatic hernia (DH), however, lung compliance (Cl) and respiratory gas exchange remain abnormal. We determined the individual and combined effects of prenatal glucocorticoids (GC) and exogenous surfactant therapy (S) on postnatal pulmonary function in lambs with DH that underwent prolonged TO. DH was created in 22 fetal sheep at 65 d of gestation and TO performed at 110 d. Eleven DH/TO animals received prenatal GC (betamethasone, 0.5 mg/kg) 48 h before delivery; six GC-treated and five non-GC lambs were administered surfactant (Infasurf, 3 mg/kg) at birth. Six sham-operated lambs served as controls. Lambs were delivered at 139 d gestation and ventilated for 2 h. GC or surfactant therapy alone significantly improved respiratory gas exchange, Cl, and ventilatory efficiency index. Total lung capacity was normalized only in DH/TO lambs that received both GC and S.