9 research outputs found

    55A Combined approaches to restore airways hydration in cystic fibrosis

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    Genetic Inhibition of the Ubiquitin Ligase Rnf5 Attenuates Phenotypes Associated to F508del Cystic Fibrosis Mutation

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    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CFTR chloride channel. Deletion of phenylalanine 508 (F508del), the most frequent CF mutation, impairs CFTR trafficking and gating. F508del-CFTR mistrafficking may be corrected by acting directly on mutant CFTR itself or by modulating expression/activity of CFTR-interacting proteins, that may thus represent potential drug targets. To evaluate possible candidates for F508del-CFTR rescue, we screened a siRNA library targeting known CFTR interactors. Our analysis identified RNF5 as a protein whose inhibition promoted significant F508del-CFTR rescue and displayed an additive effect with the investigational drug VX-809. Significantly, RNF5 loss in F508del-CFTR transgenic animals ameliorated intestinal malabsorption and concomitantly led to an increase in CFTR activity in intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, we found that RNF5 is differentially expressed in human bronchial epithelia from CF vs. control patients. Our results identify RNF5 as a target for therapeutic modalities to antagonize mutant CFTR proteins

    PHARMACOGENOMICS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS

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    A forskolin and verapamil sensitive potassium current in human tracheal cells

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    A voltage-dependent K+ current has been revealed in whole-cell recordings carried out on immortalized cells obtained from the human tracheal epithelium. At positive membrane potentials the current shows a time dependent inactivation which is accelerated by increasing the depolarizing step. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, and verapamil, a Ca2+ channel blocker, induce the K+ current to inactivate more rapidly. Control experiments show that the action of these two compounds is not mediated by cyclic AMP and Ca2+. The application of 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, an analogue which does not stimulate adenylate cyclase, inhibits the current in the same way as forskolin; on the contrary, the dibutyryl analogue of cyclic AMP is ineffective. Furthermore, eliminating extracellular Ca2+ does not affect K+ current kinetics. Tetraethylammonium is an effective blocker of this current with an IC50 of 0.3 mM

    Synthesis of 4-thiophen-20-yl-1,4-dihydropyridines as potentiators of the CFTR chloride channel

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    The gating of the CFTR chloride channel is altered by a group of mutations that cause cystic fibrosis. This gating defect may be corrected by small molecules called potentiators. Some 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives, bearing a thiophen-2-yl and a furanyl ring at the 4-position of the nucleus, were prepared and tested as CFTR potentiators. In particular, we evaluated the ability of novel DHPs to enhance the activity of the rescued DF508-CFTR as measured with a functional assay based on the halide-sensitive yellow fluorescent protein. Most DHPs showed an effect comparable to or better than that of the reference compound genistein. The potency was instead significantly improved, with some compounds, such as 3g, 3h, 3n, 4a, 4b, and 4d, having a half effective concentration in the submicromolar range. CoMFA analysis gave helpful suggestions to improve the activity of DHPs

    Airway surface liquid acidification initiates host defense abnormalities in Cystic Fibrosis

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    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defective Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. Morbidity is mainly due to early airway infection. We hypothesized that S. aureus clearance during the first hours of infection was impaired in CF human Airway Surface Liquid (ASL) because of a lowered pH. The ASL pH of human bronchial epithelial cell lines and primary respiratory cells from healthy controls (WT) and patients with CF was measured with a pH microelectrode. The antimicrobial capacity of airway cells was studied after S. aureus apical infection by counting surviving bacteria. ASL was significantly more acidic in CF than in WT respiratory cells. This was consistent with a defect in bicarbonate secretion involving CFTR and SLC26A4 (pendrin) and a persistent proton secretion by ATP12A. ASL demonstrated a defect in S. aureus clearance which was improved by pH normalization. Pendrin inhibition in WT airways recapitulated the CF airway defect and increased S. aureus proliferation. ATP12A inhibition by ouabain decreased bacterial proliferation. Antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and hBD1 demonstrated a pH-dependent activity. Normalizing ASL pH might improve innate airway defense in newborns with CF during onset of S. aureus infection. Pendrin activation and ATP12A inhibition could represent novel therapeutic strategies to normalize pH in CF airways
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