A 4-dimensional model of the alveolar structure

The alveolar structure, a space-filling branching duct system with alveolar openings, is one of the most complicated structures in the living body. Although its deformation during ventilation is the basic knowledge for lung physiology, there has been no consensus on it because of technical difficulties of dynamic 3-dimensional observation in vivo. It is known that the alveolar duct wall (primary septa) in the fetal lung is deformed so as to obtain the largest inner space and the widest surface area, and that the secondary septa grow just before birth and their free ridges form the alveolar entrance rings (mouths) containing abundant elastin fibers. We have constructed a 4-dimensional alveolar model according to this morphogenetic process, where the alveolar deformation is modeled by a combination of springs and hinges, corresponding to elastin fibers at alveolar mouths and junctions of alveolar septa, respectively. The model includes a hypothesis that alveolar mouths are closed at minimum volume and that closed alveoli are stabilized by the alveolar lining liquid film containing a surfactant. Morphometric characteristics of the model were consistent with previous reports. Furthermore, the model explained how the alveolar number and size could change during ventilation. Using in vivo microscopy, we validated our model by an analysis of the dynamic inflation and deflation of subpleural alveoli. Our model, including the alveolar mouth-closure hypothesis, can explain the origin of phase IV in a single breath nitrogen washout curve (closing volume) and mechanism of alveolar recruitment/derecruitment.