Comparative anatomy of respiratory bronchioles and lobular structures in mammals

• Published in: Journal of Toxicologic Pathology Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 113 - 129
• Main Authors: Umeda, Yumi, Izawa, Takeshi, Kazama, Kei, Arai, Sachiko, Kamiie, Junichi, Nakamura, Shinichiro, Hano, Kazuki, Takasu, Masaki, Hirata, Akihiro, Rittinghausen, Susanne, Yamano, Shotaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY 01.01.2025; The Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology; 日本毒性病理学会; Japan Science and Technology Agency; Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology
• Subjects: Anatomy; Animal diseases; Animal species; comparative anatomy; Disease detection; interlobular septum; Invited Review; lobular structure; lung; Lung diseases; Mammals; Occupational diseases; Occupational exposure; Occupational health; Particulates; Pneumoconiosis; respiratory bronchiole; Rodents; Toxicity; comparative anatomy; lung; respiratory bronchiole; lobular structure; interlobular septum
• ISSN: 0914-9198; 1881-915X; 1347-7404
• DOI: 10.1293/tox.2024-0071

Rodents are widely used to study the toxicity of chemicals; however, differences between species indicate that the results from rodents are not always directly transferable to humans. The health of workers exposed to various chemicals and particulates at high doses or for long periods is at risk. Respiratory bronchioles and lobular structures, which are demarcated by interlobular septa, are key sites for occupational lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis; however, these structures vary among animal species. Understanding these differences is crucial for studying the pathology of human occupational lung diseases. However, there is a lack of reviews focusing on these structures in different species. This review explores the lung anatomy of various mammals and its functional importance in disease to connect animal studies with human occupational lung diseases. Our results indicate that artiodactyls, especially small pig breeds and goats, are ideal for research because their respiratory bronchioles and lobular structures are similar to those of humans. This review aims to enhance the use of experimental animal data and improve our understanding of human occupational lung diseases, thereby facilitating early disease detection, treatment, and prevention.