Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology.
Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology.
J Vis Exp. 2023 Jan 6(191). doi: 10.3791/64862.
Silicosis can be caused by exposure to respiratory crystalline silica dust (CSD) in an industrial environment. The pathophysiology, screening, and treatment of silicosis in humans have all been extensively studied using the mouse silicosis model. By repeatedly making mice inhale CSD into their lungs, the mice can mimic the clinical symptoms of human silicosis. This methodology is practical and efficient in terms of time and output and does not cause mechanical injury to the upper respiratory tract due to surgery. Furthermore, this model can successfully mimic acute/chronic transformation process of silicosis. The main procedures were as follows. The sterilized 1-5 µm CSD powder was fully ground, suspended in saline, and dispersed in an ultrasonic water bath for 30 min. Mice under isoflurane-induced anesthesia switched from shallow rapid breathing to deep, slow aspiration for approximately 2 s. The mouse was placed in the palm of a hand, and the thumb tip gently touched the lip edge of the mouse's jaw to straighten the airway. After each exhalation, the mice breathed in the silica suspension drop by drop through one nostril, completing the process within 4-8 s. After the mice's breathing had stabilized, their chest was stroked and caressed to prevent the inhaled CSD from being coughed up. The mice were then returned to the cage. In conclusion, this model can quantify CSD along the typical physiological passage of tiny particles into the lung, from the upper respiratory tract to the terminal bronchioles and alveoli. It can also replicate the recurrent exposure of employees due to work. The model can be performed by one person and does not need expensive equipment. It conveniently and effectively simulates the disease features of human silicosis with high repeatability.
矽肺可由在工业环境中暴露于呼吸性结晶二氧化硅粉尘（CSD）引起。人类矽肺的病理生理学、筛查和治疗已广泛使用小鼠矽肺模型进行研究。通过反复使小鼠将 CSD 吸入肺部，可以模拟人类矽肺的临床症状。这种方法在时间和结果上具有实用性和高效性，并且由于手术不会对上呼吸道造成机械损伤。此外，该模型可以成功模拟矽肺的急/慢性转化过程。主要程序如下。将灭菌的 1-5 µm CSD 粉末充分研磨，悬浮于生理盐水中，并在超声水浴中分散 30 分钟。在异氟烷诱导的麻醉下，小鼠从浅而快速的呼吸转变为深而缓慢的吸气，大约持续 2 秒。将小鼠放在手掌中，用拇指轻轻触摸鼠的下颚边缘，以拉直气道。每次呼气后，通过一个鼻孔将二氧化硅悬浮液一滴一滴地吸入小鼠体内，在 4-8 秒内完成整个过程。小鼠呼吸稳定后，对其胸部进行抚摸和按摩，以防止吸入的 CSD 被咳出。然后将小鼠放回笼子中。总之，该模型可以定量 CSD 沿微小颗粒的典型生理通道进入肺部，从上呼吸道到终末细支气管和肺泡。它还可以复制因工作而反复接触的员工。该模型可以由一个人完成，不需要昂贵的设备。它方便、有效地模拟了人类矽肺的疾病特征，具有高度的可重复性。
