The present protocol provides a detailed step-by-step description of the procedures required to execute measurements of respiratory system mechanics as well as the assessment of airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in mice using the forced oscillation technique (flexiVent; SCIREQ Inc, Montreal, Qc, Canada).
The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a powerful, integrative and translational tool permitting the experimental assessment of lung function in mice in a comprehensive, detailed, precise and reproducible manner. It provides measurements of respiratory system mechanics through the analysis of pressure and volume signals acquired in reaction to predefined, small amplitude, oscillatory airflow waveforms, which are typically applied at the subject’s airway opening. The present protocol details the steps required to adequately execute forced oscillation measurements in mice using a computer-controlled piston ventilator (flexiVent; SCIREQ Inc, Montreal, Qc, Canada). The description is divided into four parts: preparatory steps, mechanical ventilation, lung function measurements, and data analysis. It also includes details of how to assess airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in anesthetized mice, a common application of this technique which also extends to other outcomes and various lung pathologies. Measurements obtained in naïve mice as well as from an oxidative-stress driven model of airway damage are presented to illustrate how this tool can contribute to a better characterization and understanding of studied physiological changes or disease models as well as to applications in new research areas.
Adequate characterization of the mechanical properties of the lungs in small animals has become essential since the burgeoning of murine models in respiratory science. When performed using the forced oscillation technique (FOT), a technique also used in human subjects, these measurements provide a powerful, integrative and translational approach to study meaningful physiological changes. FOT measurements are typically obtained by analyzing pressure and volume signals acquired in reaction to a predefined, small amplitude, oscillatory airflow waveform (also referred to as perturbation or input signal) applied at the subject’s airway opening1. In its simplest form, a FOT perturbation would be a single sinusoidal waveform at a well-defined frequency. More complex perturbations typically consist of a superposition of a selection of specific (mutually prime) frequency waveforms covering a broad spectrum. The decomposition of the multi-frequency input and output signals into their constituents using the Fourier transform allows the calculation of respiratory system input impedance (Zrs), i.e. the transfer function between the input and output signals, at every frequency included in the perturbation2. Therefore, FOT permits the simultaneous assessment of respiratory mechanics over a range of frequencies in a single maneuver2. Fitting advanced mathematical models (e.g. the Constant Phase Model3) to the impedance data then permit a partitioning of the response into airway (central and peripheral) and parenchymal lung tissue dependent parameters1, 3. Because many factors influencing the physiological response (e.g. breathing frequency, tidal volume, lung volume, upper airways, spontaneous breathing efforts, timing of measurements) are controlled and standardized by the measurement system and experimental procedures,1 the technique is capable of generating precise and reproducible measurements provided that it is performed correctly. The objective of this article is to provide a detailed, chronological description of the procedure needed in order to execute such measurements in mice. The protocol consists of four parts: preparatory steps (reagents, equipment and subjects), mechanical ventilation, lung function measurements, and data analysis. Examples of representative results of respiratory system mechanics generated using a computer-controlled piston ventilator (flexiVent, SCIREQ Inc, Montreal, Qc, Canada) are provided. These were obtained from naïve mice as well as from an oxidative-stress driven model of airway damage characterized by airway inflammation, epithelial cell damage and increased airway responsiveness to inhaled aerosolized methacholine4. While this protocol is often used to assess airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine, it extends to other outcomes and various pathologies including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, lung fibrosis, lung injury as well as to transgenic mouse models of pathologies similar to human disease. Research findings using this tool can contribute to a better characterization and understanding of physiological changes or disease models as well as to expansion into new research areas.
The procedures described below were approved by McGill University Institutional Animal Care Committee in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).
1. Preparatory Steps
2. Mechanical Ventilation
3. Lung Function Measurements
Measurements or commands (e.g. nebulizer activation, event markers) can be automated using predefined or customized scripts for a highly controlled and repeatable experimental process (Figure 2). Six families of perturbations giving rise to a number of parameters can be used to describe the subject respiratory system mechanics at baseline and following a given challenge (Table 2).
4. Data Analysis
The software automatically calculates and displays parameters associated with a perturbation. It also provides a coefficient of determination (COD) which reflects the fit of the mathematical model to the data. Each dataset with an insufficient COD is labelled as excluded by the software. Review of experimental sessions, data re-analysis and creation of export scenarios are done in the Review & Reporting module of the software.
Respiratory system mechanics measurements. Table 4 shows typical results from naïve A/J mice obtained at baseline and following methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction (12.5 mg/ml) using either of the two flexiVent generations supported by flexiWare 7 software. Mechanics of the respiratory system, i.e. under closed chest conditions, were assessed by alternating perturbations of the single and broadband frequency forced oscillation families in a closely spaced manner (SnapShot-150, Quick Prime-3, respectively). Since ventilation is paused during measurements, the Quick Prime-3, which covers a similar frequency range as the Prime-8 but has a shorter duration (3 vs 8 sec), was selected in order to shorten the apneic period, minimize the effect of the perturbation on blood gases and provide a better resolution of the response. Parameters associated with each perturbation were calculated automatically by the operating software. Results illustrate that the two generations of the flexiVent system produced equivalent measurements of respiratory mechanics.
Site of lung response. Distinguishing the site of lung response allows the investigator to further pinpoint affected regions as well as to identify potential points of pharmacological intervention6. For example, naïve A/J mice show an increase of baseline resistance when the end expiratory pressure against which measurements are made is increased from 3 to 9 cmH2O (Figure 6A, SnapShot-150). In the present example, the use of broadband FOT measurements (Quick Prime-3) provided details to clarify the basis for the change in resistance: The change in end expiratory pressure resulted in a decrease in the airway resistance (RN) consistent with the bronchodilating effects of a higher lung volume and the larger inflation pressure (Figure 6D) and an increase in tissue damping (G; Figure 6E), a parameter closely related to tissue resistance that reflects tissue viscoelasticity and possibly the resistance of the small airways7. The latter is known to increase with increasing lung volume.
Airway hyperresponsiveness. Following chlorine gas exposure, airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine increases compared to air exposure in Balb/c mice as a result of airway damage4 (Figure 2). Chlorine is known to induce oxidative stress, leading to destruction of structural cells in the airways, in particular epithelial cells, and inducing recruitment of inflammatory cells. As represented in Figure 5, changes in all parameters describing respiratory system mechanics can be seen in response to increasing methacholine challenges. In comparison to air-exposed mice, mice exposed to chlorine gas displayed greater maximal responses at all FOT parameters (Figure 5A, 5B, 5D-5F) as well as a statistically significant leftward shift of the concentration-response curve exemplified by a reduction of the concentration of methacholine required to cause a doubling in resistance and elastance (PC200; Figure 5C). Those results illustrate, respectively, airway hyperresponsiveness and hypersensitivity to inhaled methacholine following exposure to chlorine gas.
Other measurements. In addition to FOT, the flexiVent system can also be used to collect other types of lung function8-10 or cardiovascular11 measurements. Figure 7 displays a representative stepwise, pressure-driven pressure-volume curve in naïve A/J mice under baseline conditions. The upper portion of the deflation limb of the curve is fit to the Salazar-Knowles equation12 and parameters are automatically calculated by the software.
Table 1. Examples of anesthetic regimens used in mice. Click here to view larger table.
Table 2. Perturbations used for lung function measurements in mice. *Extension required to the system. The subject also needs to be in a closed plethysmograph chamber during measurements. Click here to view larger table.
Table 3. Example of exported parameters from the single and broadband frequency forced oscillation perturbation families. Click here to view larger table.
Table 4. System Comparison. Comparison of lung mechanics parameters collected using the two generations of the flexiVent system operated by flexiWare 7 software. Results were generated in naïve A/J mice (n=5/group) at baseline and following methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction (Mch 12.5 mg/ml). *Groups were compared using a two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements and the log10 of individual responses for homogeneity of variances (GraphPad Prism, version 5.03; GraphPad Software, San Diego, USA).
Figure 1. Screenshot of a deep lung inflation. The upper panel shows the volume displaced by the piston of the ventilator (red trace) and the volume delivered to the subject (grey trace). The lower panel displays the cylinder pressure increasing to a set pressure of 30 cmH2O over a period of 3 seconds and held constant for the same time period.
Figure 2. Example of a typical script used to assess respiratory system mechanics at baseline.
Figure 3. Spontaneous inspiratory efforts during the execution of a stepwise pressure-volume curve.
Figure 4. Time-course response following increasing inhaled methacholine challenges. Results are expressed as the mean (± standard deviation) of a group of 5 naïve spontaneously hyperresponsive A/J mice. Click here to view larger figure.
Figure 5. Changes in respiratory system mechanics following increasing methacholine challenges in chlorine- and air-exposed Balb/c mice. Peak value was identified for each parameter in every subject and experimental condition. Group averages were then calculated (mean ± standard deviation; n=4-6). Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance using the log10 of individual responses for homogeneity of variances. The concentration of methacholine producing a doubling of baseline (PC200) was obtained by fitting a second order polynomial to individual dose-response curves and interpolation of the fitted curve. Data points are missing in D, E and F in the chlorine-exposed mice at the two highest methacholine concentrations due to insufficiently high coefficients of determination reflecting a poor fit of the mathematical model to the data. Click here to view larger figure.
Figure 6. Partitioning of the respiratory response into airway and lung tissue mechanics. Experimental trace from a naïve A/J mice illustrating single (2.5 Hz) and broadband (1-20.5Hz) frequency forced oscillation measurements of respiratory mechanics in triplicate at two different end expiratory pressures (3 & 9 cmH2O). Click here to view larger figure.
Figure 7. Pressure-volume curve in naïve A/J mice under baseline conditions. Pressure-volume curves were generated using a stepwise pressure-driven perturbation (PVs-P) to ensure that each mouse lungs were inflated to the same pressure, independently of their condition. Salazar-Knowles equation parameters extracted from individual pressure-volume curves were also averaged and reported in a table format. Results are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=6).
The continued study of airway dysfunction as it relates to asthma and other lung disorders remains paramount to the understanding of underlying mechanisms of disease and the development of treatment options. The use of mice to model airway disease has been essential in gaining understanding into these disease mechanisms. When considering evaluating airway dysfunction in a subject as small as a mouse, having reliable and accurate tools by which to measure lung function is critical. Furthermore, having tools capable of providing insights on the location of airway dysfunction or therapeutic effect is invaluable. The FOT technique combines all these attributes and provides a powerful, integrative and translational approach to evaluate physiological changes.
In order to succeed with this type of measurement in mice, special attention should be given to a few steps, namely the calibration of the system, the resistance of the endotracheal cannula, the type of nebulizer (as well as its operating settings) the positioning of the animal and the standardization of lung volume history. In addition, it is imperative in order to obtain valid datasets that the subject’s respiratory system remains passive during measurements. This can be achieved by the administration of a muscle paralyzing agent, working at a deep plane of anesthesia or by hyperventilating the subject to induce apnea (see Table 1). Investigators can start by mastering the system and its operating software, if desired, with test loads, while acquiring the necessary skills for measurements in mice. It would then be logical to generate reproducible results in naïve animals before moving to disease models or treated mice. Since an important proportion of disease models in respiratory research involve exposing animals to agents such as allergens, toxins, pollutants, cigarette smoke or gases, variability in the results obtained with the measurement technique described in this article could therefore be influenced by the exposure procedure used. Standardization of key experimental processes (e.g. using computer-controlled exposure and measurement systems6, 13, 14) could potentially have a significant impact in reducing variability.
Examples presented in this article represent a selection of typical results from naïve and chlorine-exposed mice experiments while highlighting the strengths as well as the limitations of the technique. As can be seen for example in Figure 6, the technique is capable of generating reproducible lung function measurements. While similar baseline resistance values were reported between mouse strains, differences in elastance were however observed15. Substantial changes are also to be expected between infant and adult mice16. As for other in vivo physiological assessment, high precision results, such as those generated by the FOT, come with a concession as to the natural state of the subjects. This principle, which is referred to as the phenotyping uncertainty principle1, applies to the present protocol in the sense that measurements need to be made in anesthetized, tracheotomised (or orally intubated) and mechanically ventilated subjects. Another limitation of the technique is observable in Figure 5D-5F where data are not available at the highest concentrations for the chlorine-exposed group because the fit of the Constant Phase Model to the data is poor above moderate levels of bronchoconstriction. However, severely bronchoconstricted animals could be assessed by analyzing Zrs directly15, or by using third party post-analysis software to fit more complex mathematical models, e.g. taking into account the heterogeneity of mechanical function17. Excluded datasets can also be observed if the animal’s airways are not sufficiently passive or if the resistance of the cannula is too high. As a rule of thumb, the resistance of the cannula should not exceed the animal’s resistance at baseline. Working with a cannula of larger inner diameter and/or shorter length will help reduce the cannula resistance. Finally, the present demonstration of FOT measurements in mice may be perceived as a time-consuming and therefore less efficient methodology or less applicable to longitudinal studies compared to less invasive techniques. However the latter are associated with a great deal of uncertainty as to the basis of their outcomes and are viewed by many as being flawed1. Repeated invasive measurements are possible in orally intubated animals, although technically more challenging17.
From the examples provided, results demonstrated the equivalence of the two generations of the flexiVent system at producing measurements of respiratory mechanics, as well as airway hyperreactivity and hypersensitivity to inhaled methacholine following chlorine-exposure in mice. When used to characterize or understand physiological changes or disease models, the detailed measurement aspect related to the technique can contribute to extend the current state of knowledge.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
TKMcG is supported by a studentship from the Canadian Thoracic Society.
AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION
All authors took part in the conception of the manuscript. In addition, TKMcG initiated the project, collected experimental results, contributed to the writing of the manuscript and its critical review. AR collected and analyzed experimental results, drafted the manuscript and contributed to its critical review. LF collected experimental results and contributed to the critical review of the manuscript. TFS and JGM contributed to the critical review of the manuscript.
Name of Reagent/Material | Company | Catalogue Number | Comments |
REAGENTS | |||
Acetyl-β-methylcholine chloride | Sigma-Aldrich | A-2251 | Methacholine |
Micro-Adson forceps, serrated 12 cm | Fine Science Tools | 11018-12 | |
Moria MC31 forceps, serrated-curved | Fine Science Tools | 11370-31 | |
Iris scissors-tough cut, straight 11.5 cm | Fine Science Tools | 14058-11 | |
Spring scissors-2.5 mm blades, straight | Fine Science Tools | 15000-08 | |
Non-sterile blunt needle (18g x ½”) | Brico Medical Supplies Inc. | BN1805 | Endotracheal cannula |
Non-sterile 5-0 silk suture | Seraflex | IDI58000 | |
Phosphate buffered solution | Gibco | 14190-144 | |
15 ml conical tubes | Starstedt | SS-4001 | |
1 ml TB syringes | Becton Dickinson | 309626 | |
200 μl filter tips | Biosphere | 70.760.211 | |
EQUIPMENT | |||
flexiVent FX | SCIREQ Inc. | sales@scireq.com | www.scireq.com |
Aerogen Aeroneb nebulizer | SCIREQ Inc. | sales@scireq.com | www.scireq.com |