Science and Research

Intravital imaging of mucus transport in asthmatic mice using microscopic optical coherence tomography

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. Mucus overproduction is consistently linked to asthma morbidity and mortality. Despite the knowledge of the importance of mucus, little data exists on how mucus is transported in asthma and the immediate effects of therapeutic intervention. We therefore used microscopic optical coherence tomography (mOCT) to study spontaneous and induced mucus transport in an interleukin-13 (IL-13) induced asthma mouse model and examined the effects of isotonic (0.9% NaCl) and hypertonic saline (7% NaCl) which are used to induce mucus transport in cystic fibrosis. Without intervention, no bulk mucus transport was observed by mOCT and no intraluminal mucus was detectable in the intrapulmonary airways by histology. Administration of ATP-g-S induced mucus secretion into the airway lumen, but did not result in bulk mucus transport in the trachea. Intraluminal secreted immobile mucus could be mobilized by administration of isotonic or hypertonic saline but hypertonic saline mobilized mucus more reliably than isotonic saline. Irrespective of saline concentration, the mucus was transported in mucus chunks. In contrast to isotonic saline solution, hypertonic saline solution alone was able to induce mucus secretion. In conclusion, mOCT is suitable to examine the effects of mucus-mobilizing therapies in vivo. Although hypertonic saline was more efficient in inducing mucus transport, it induced mucus secretion, which might explain its limited benefit in asthma patients.

  • Pieper, M.
  • Schulz-Hildebrandt, H.
  • Schmudde, I.
  • Quell, K. M.
  • Laumonnier, Y.
  • Hüttmann, G.
  • König, P.

Keywords

  • Oct
  • asthmatic mice
  • hypertonic saline
  • mucus transport
  • trachea
Publication details
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00455.2021
Journal: Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
Work Type: Original
Location: ARCN
Disease Area: AA
Partner / Member: UzL
Access-Number: 35997279

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