Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. The 5T allele in intron 8 (IVS8) causes abnormal splicing in the CFTR gene, and is associated with lung disease when it occurs in cis with a missense mutation in the CFTR gene, R117H. However, the 5T variant alone has not been reported to cause lung disease. We describe two adult female patients w...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF gene, which encodes CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR), a transmembrane protein that acts as a cAMP-regulated chloride channel The disease is characterized by inflammation but the relationship between inflammation, abnormal transepithelial ion transport, and the clinical manifestations of CF are uncertain. The present stud...

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. CF-related diabetes (CFRD) one of most prevalent comorbidities CF. Altered glucose homeostasis has been reported CF patients. The mechanism not fully elucidated. Besides consequence pancreatic endocrine dysfunction, we focus on insulin-responsive tissues and transp...

Gene therapy offers the potential of correcting genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF). By complementing the non-functional endogenous cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene with a functional transgene, we anticipate it may alleviate the disease phenotype. All approaches to CF gene therapy rely upon sensitive assays to monitor delivery, expression and maintenanc...

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that is associated with abnormal sweat electrolytes, sino-pulmonary disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and male infertility. Insights into genotype/phenotype relations have recently been gained in this disorder. The strongest relationship exists between 'severe' mutations in the gene that encodes the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) an...

Intensive screening has improved our understanding of the profile of mutations in the CFTR gene in which more than 400 mutations have been detected to date. In collaboration with several European laboratories we are involved in such analysis. We have identified 14 new mutations in exon 17b of CFTR, having analysed 780 CF chromosomes, and have compared the frequency of mutations in this exon wit...

We have used a mouse model to study the ability of human CFTR to correct the defect in mice deficient of the endogenous protein. In this model, expression of the endogenous Cftr gene was disrupted and replaced with a human CFTR cDNA by a gene targeted 'knock-in' event. Animals homozygous for the gene replacement failed to show neither improved intestinal pathology nor survival when compared to ...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive multi-organ disease caused by mutations in the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene, with morbidity and mortality primacy related to lung disease. The CFTR protein, a chloride/bicarbonate channel, expressed at apical side of airway epithelial cells mainly involved appropriate ion fluid transport across epithelium. Although many animal...

The expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene can be down-regulated by inflammatory stimuli such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Since the respiratory manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) are characterized by intense chronic airway inflammation very early in life, successful gene therapy for CF will require that expression of the transferred normal ...

Hypertonicity has pleiotropic effects on cell function, including activation of transporters and regulation of gene expression. It is important to investigate the action of hypertonicity on cystic fibrosis gene expression because cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the cAMP-regulated Cl(-) channel, regulates ion transport across the secretory epithelia, which are often i...