A new technique to examine individual pollutant particle and fibre deposition and transit behaviour in live mouse trachea

J. Synchrotron Rad. (2010). 17, 719-729 (doi.org/10.1107/S0909049510028451)

3D rendering showing the region of the mouse trachea adjacent to the spine where particle and fibre behaviour was examined.

Unless cleared by airway defenses deposited pollutants can remain and affect lung health. Synchrotron phase contrast imaging was used to examine pollutant particle behaviour after deposition onto the tracheal airway surfaces of live mice. Each particle and fibre looked and behaved differently on the airway surface, suggesting the interaction between individual particles and the airway may depend on the particle type and size. This method should provide a novel approach to monitoring the acute effects of respired particles on airway function.