Quantification of elastin from the mouse lung during postnatal development

Elastic fibers play a vital role in secondary septal development during the process of lung alveolization. The authors Present a quantitative study by image analysis and by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the mouse lungs' elastic fibers throughout postnatal development. Five mice fr om birth up to the 21st day of postnatal development and on the 30th day of life were used daily. Their left lungs were collected and processed for ob servation under light microscopy. The staining was carried by a modificatio n of the Gomori technique. The bight lung of each animal was processed for elastin quantification by HPLC Analysis by linear regression of the two met hods' results showed there was a significant positive linear correlation. W ith this methodology of staining and image analysis we evaluated the normal establishment of the clastic network of the respiratory portion of the lun g from birth to adult life. We now have a good model for studying the varia tions induced by exogenous agents in the synthesis and degradation of the p ulmonary elastic fibers.