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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 294/5/L991    most recent 00013.2008v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Massaro, D. Articles by Massaro, G. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Massaro, D. Articles by Massaro, G. D.

Apoe^tm1Unc mice have impaired alveologenesis, low lung function, and rapid loss of lung function

Lung Regeneration Laboratory, Departments of ¹Medicine and ²Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia

Submitted 7 January 2008 ; accepted in final form 11 March 2008

Diminished lung function, indicated by a low forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), and short physical stature, predict early mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular, among smokers and never smokers. The basis for these associations is unclear, and, it is not known if there is a pulmonary morphological component to the relationship between low FEV₁ and early death in a general population. Some apolipoprotein E genotypes also predict atherosclerosis and early mortality. These considerations led us to examine the Apoe^tm1Unc (Apoe) mouse, in which the apolipoprotein E gene is deleted, and that develops dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis at an early age, and has a shorter life span than the founder wild-type (wt) strain. We asked if Apoe mice have a morphological or functional pulmonary phenotype. We measured the size, number, and surface area of pulmonary gas-exchange units (alveoli) and mechanical properties of the lung. Compared with wt mice, Apoe mice had: 1) diminished developmental alveologenesis, 2) increased airway resistance in early adulthood, 3) high lung volume and high dynamic and static compliance in later adulthood, 4) more rapid loss of lung recoil with age, and 5) were less long than wt mice. These findings in mice indicate the association of a low FEV₁ with early death in humans may have developmental, and accelerated ageing, related pulmonary components, and that dietary, genetic, or dietary and genetic influences, on lipid metabolism may be an upstream cause of inflammation and oxidative stress, currently considered to be major risk factors for COPD.

FEV₁; predict early death; atherosclerosis; short stature; diet; genetics; cholesterol