Pulmonary Fibrosis

The presence of excess scar tissue in the lungs is a typical characteristic of pulmonary fibrosis, a disease with a poor prognosis and response to current therapies. The build-up of fibrotic tissue associated with lung injury leads to an irreversible reduction of the elastic properties of the lungs and a gradual decline in lung function.

Experimental research in this area aims to increase knowledge of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms associated with disease manifestation and progression while attempting to address the challenges of therapeutic intervention and early disease detection.

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Relevant, translational and reproducible outcomes

As a result of the fibrotic tissue accumulation, the lungs become stiffer. In humans, the disease is typically diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) scans and pulmonary function tests, both of which can be performed in small laboratory animals using the flexiVent. The ability of this integrated system to synchronize with micro-CT scanners, to provide static and dynamic measurements of respiratory mechanics, as well as to capture information on specific lung volumes or flows make it an extremely valuable tool to investigate pulmonary fibrosis at the preclinical level. As an example, changes in static compliance, acquired using the sensitive pressure-volume curves, allowed researchers to distinguish between degrees of disease severity or therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the flexiVent system’s Negative Pressure Forced Expiration (NPFE) extension offers additional insight by permitting outcomes similar to those commonly used in a clinical setting, such as the forced vital capacity (FVC).

Finally, the longitudinal aspect of the disease or the efficacy of a potential therapeutic approach over time can now be more easily assessed with the flexiVent since the recent publication of simple techniques of non-surgical subject integration to the system. Numerous examples of the use of the flexiVent in pulmonary fibrosis preclinical research can be found in the literature. Learn how a leading pulmonary fibrosis researcher uses the flexiVent in this interview.

On May 17th 2022, Emka & SCIREQ hosted a panel discussion in which Experts at the forefront of pulmonary fibrosis research discussed Modelling Fibrotic Lung Diseases. The event was recorded and you can watch it now:

References & Publications

Repeated ventilatory parameters

The induced changes in lung parenchyma observed in preclinical models of pulmonary fibrosis are likely to result in impaired breathing patterns, which can be captured repeatedly in conscious spontaneously breathing subjects using one of the various plethysmography techniques (e.g. whole body plethysmography, double-chamber plethysmography, head-out plethysmography).

References & Publications

Additional insight

The lung parenchyma, like the airway smooth muscle, possesses contractile properties and can also be studied in vitro in isolated tissue baths. In pulmonary fibrosis, the accumulation of fibrotic tissue can potentially alter the contractility of the lung parenchyma. Studying this tissue in the absence of external influences can offer additional insights when exploring pathophysiological mechanisms, characterizing preclinical disease models, or assessing the efficacy of a potential therapeutic treatment. In response to a constricting agent, increased contractility has been consistently observed in lung parenchymal from a fibrotic model relative to a corresponding control group.

References & Publications

Blogs

Resources

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