The porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) – induced pulmonary emphysema model develops the pathological features of COPD through the disintegration of elastin in the lungs and consequent inflammatory cell infiltration. By administering elastase in a spray form with Microsprayer, the elastase is evenly exposed to the lungs and thus, develops a reproducible and uniform pathology.
Figure 1. PPE model, image of an HE-stained lung
Compared to normal mice, the PPE model shows alveolar wall destruction.