Respiratory changes in a murine model of spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: Respiratory physiology & neurobiology Vol. 153; no. 1; pp. 107 - 114
• Main Authors: Souza-Fernandes, Alba B., Rocco, Patricia R.M., Contador, Renata S., Menezes, Sara L.S., Faffe, Débora S., Negri, Elnara M., Capelozzi, Vera L., Zin, Walter A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdarm Elsevier B.V 01-08-2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Collagen - metabolism; Collagen fibre; Disease Models, Animal; Elastic fibre; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Histology; Lung - metabolism; Lung - pathology; Lung - physiopathology; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - metabolism; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - pathology; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - physiopathology; Mice; Remodelling; Respiration; Respiratory mechanics; Respiratory Mechanics - physiology; Vertebrates: respiratory system; Viscoelasticity; Viscoelasticity; Remodelling; Respiratory mechanics; Histology; Collagen fibre; Elastic fibre; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Collagen; Glycoprotein; Models; Respiratory system
• ISSN: 1569-9048; 1878-1519
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2005.09.005

The pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been very well described in many organs. However, the relation between extracellular matrix changes and lung dynamic mechanical behaviour deserves elucidation. To that end, pulmonary mechanics, lung morphometry and the amount of collagen and elastic fibres in the alveolar septa were analysed in mice with SLE [NZB/W (New Zealand Black/White) F1] and non-diseased NZW mice (control). Static (
E
st) and dynamic (
E
dyn) elastances, difference between dynamic and static elastances (Δ
E), airway resistance (
R
aw) and viscoelastic/inhomogeneous pressure (Δ
P
2) were determined by the end-inflation occlusion method. Lungs were removed and prepared for histology.
E
st,
E
dyn, Δ
E and Δ
P
2 were higher in SLE than in control group, while
R
aw was similar in both groups. SLE group showed alveolar collapse and increased amount of elastic and collagen fibres. In conclusion, SLE mice showed an increase in elastic and viscoelastic/inhomogeneous pressures that was accompanied by deposition of collagen and elastic fibres in the alveolar septa.