Quantitative microscopy in murine models of lung inflammation.

Objective: To develop a quantitative means to measure lung inflammation using the murine models of chronic asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF).

Study Design: Translational-based medicine often utilizes animal models to study new and innovative therapeutics. In asthma and CF, the animal models focus on airway inflammation and remodeling.

Monitoring infection and inflammation in murine models of cystic fibrosis with magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing lung inflammation longitudinally in genetic mouse models of cystic fibrosis (CF). MRI is used to view soft tissues noninvasively, but the lung is challenging to image.

Materials And Methods: Cftr(+/+) (wildtype) and Cftr(-/-) (CF) mice were inoculated with agarose beads laden with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A role for CFTR in the elevation of glutathione levels in the lung by oral glutathione administration.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein is the only known apical glutathione (GSH) transporter in the lung. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether oral GSH or glutathione disulfide (GSSG) treatment could increase lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) GSH levels and whether CFTR plays a role in this process. The pharmacokinetic profile of an oral bolus dose of GSH (300 mg/kg) was determined in mice.