Histological Assessment of Respiratory Tract and Liver of BALB/c Mice Nebulized with Tocilizumab

Andrés Gamazo, Paloma Jimena De; Ferreiro, Sergio; Flores, Ángela; García, Almudena; Henriquez-Camacho, César

Histological Assessment of Respiratory Tract and Liver of BALB/c Mice Nebulized with Tocilizumab

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pharmaceutics-16-00862.pdf (2.92 MB)

Official URL

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16070862

Publication date

2024

Authors

Andrés Gamazo, Paloma Jimena De

Ferreiro, Sergio

Flores, Ángela

García, Almudena

Henriquez-Camacho, César

Publisher

MDPI

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URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/107693

Citation

de Andres, P.J.; Ferreiro, S.; Flores, A.; Garcia, A.; Henriquez- Camacho, C. Histological Assessment of Respiratory Tract and Liver of BALB/c Mice Nebulized with Tocilizumab. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 862. https://doi.org/10.3390/ pharmaceutics16070862

Abstract

Pulmonary drug delivery offers a minimally invasive and efficient method for treating lung conditions, leveraging the lungs’ extensive surface area and blood flow for rapid drug absorption. Nebulized therapies aim to deliver drugs directly to the lung tissue. This study investigates the histological impact of nebulized tocilizumab—a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-6, traditionally administered intravenously for rheumatoid arthritis and severe COVID-19—on a murine model. Thirty BALB/c mice were nebulized with tocilizumab (10 mg, 5 mg, and 2.5 mg) and six controls were nebulized with saline solution. They were euthanized 48 h later, and their organs (lungs, nasal mucosa, and liver) were analyzed by a microscopic histological evaluation. The results indicate that all the mice survived the 48 h post-nebulization period without systemic compromise. The macroscopic examination showed no abnormalities, and the histopathological analysis revealed greater lung vascular changes in the control group than in the nebulized animals, which is attributable to the euthanasia with carbon dioxide. Additionally, increased alveolar macrophages were observed in the nebulized groups compared to controls. No significant histological changes were observed in the liver, indicating the safety of nebulized tocilizumab. In conclusion, these findings suggest the potential of nebulized tocilizumab for treating pulmonary inflammation, warranting further research to establish its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.