Animal Models of Lung Disease | Marsico Lung Institute

大象传媒

The Marsico Lung Institute has numerous animal models of lung diseases, including the first 鈥淐F mouse鈥� (大象传媒^tm null). Current gene-targeted models include MUC1, 4, and 16^–/^– mice, P2Y2-R ^–/^– and P2Y4-R^–/^– mice, and pannexin ^–/^–mice.

In addition, the Institute has the muco-obstructive 尾ENaC transgenic mouse. 尾ENaC mice have been crossed onto multiple strains and differing levels of transgene expression have developed. The mice exhibit a phenotype of airway surface liquid volume depletion, mucus hyperconcentration and adhesion, inflammation, early bacterial infection, airway re-modeling, and emphysema. 尾ENaC mice have been used for multiple drug studies, including ENaC blockers (Fig. 17), steroids, macrolides, and inhaled osmolytes.

Whole histologic section images of 尾ENaC and wild-type mice, stained with AB-PAS

Figure 17. Whole histologic sections of 尾ENaC and wild type (WT) mice, stained with AB-PAS. Note mucus-obstructed airway in 尾ENac-Tg mice (upper left). Mucus obstruction is cleared with treatment with ENaC blocker (upper right). WT controls shown below.