Rat precision-cut lung slices as a model for deformation-induced lung injury studies

Rat precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) were characterized as a novel ex vivo model for lung injury studies. PCLS of 250 μm in thickness were sutured onto silastic well membranes and stretched. Change in membrane surface area (%AMSA) was not significantly different from change in alveolar surface area (%AASA) throughout three cycles of stretch. At a stretch of 38%AMSA, circumferential strain and radial strain did not differ significantly, confirming that the PCLS stretched in an equi-biaxial manner. Phenotype characteristics were examined by fluorescently staining fixed PCLS for alveolar type I (ATI) and type II (ATII) cells markers; both cell types were present up to three days in culture. In summary, our testing of the new preparation shows that this is a reproducible and effective method for studying deformation-induced injury.