Measuring the activity of a drug candidate in pathophysiology requires the exploration of phenotypes (lung function, inflammation and remodeling in tissues, collection of blood, cells and tissues...). We have developed standardized techniques for exploring inflammation.
Respiratory function can be explored in all models of respiratory disease to follow changes in frequency, flow, pressure… for longitudinal studies or in response to a pharmacological compound such as methacholine to highlight airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma.
In mouse models, bronchoalveolar lavage allows sampling of inflammatory cell populations. This technique is essential for studying cell influx in models of lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. Cell counting can be combined with methods such as flow cytometry, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, PCR or HPLC to assess inflammatory components such as cytokines, growth factors, analysts and receivers.
We have developed an easy-to-use, easy-to-customize, one-step, multicolor flow cytometry method for performing differential cell counting. This method identifies bronchoalveolar lavage cells by a one-step simultaneous immunostaining procedure using antibodies to identify T cells, B cells, neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages. An important advantage of this flow cytometry protocol is the ability to customize it by adding antibodies to study receptor expression at the leukocyte cell level and identify inflammatory cell subclasses as needed.
(2017) Current Protocols in Mouse Biology 19;7(2):88-99.
(2013) Bio Protocol (Plethysmography) http://www.bio-protocol.org/wenzhang.aspx?id=328
(2013) Bio protocol (Flexivent) http://www.bio-protocol.org/wenzhang.aspx?id=645
(2012) Current Protocols in Mouse Biology 2: 167-175N.
All explorations can be adapted to your request.