Feature Of Cystic Fibrosis Research Articles

Real-world data confirm elexacftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor modulators halves sweat chloride concentration in eligible people with cystic fibrosis.

Sweat chloride concentration, a diagnostic feature in cystic fibrosis (CF), reflects CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity. CFTR modulator therapies, especially elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), has improved CF outcomes. We report nationwide, real-world data on sweat chloride concentration in people with CF (pwCF) with and without modulator therapies. All Danish pwCF with a minimum of one F508del allele were included. Sweat chloride measurements were stratified by genotype and modulator treatment. Differences were assessed using mixed-effects models. We included 977 sweat chloride measurements from 430 pwCF, 71% of which were F508del homozygous. Heterozygous and homozygous ETI-treated pwCF had an estimated mean sweat chloride concentration of 43 mmol/L (95% confidence interval: 39; 48) and 43 mmol/L (39; 47), respectively-48% and 59% lower than those without treatment. High variation in concentrations remained regardless of treatment status. Despite ETI treatment, 27% heterozygous and 23% homozygous pwCF had elevated concentrations (≥60 mmol/L). These real-world data confirm a substantial decrease in sweat chloride concentration during modulator treatment, especially ETI, where mean concentrations halved. However, large variation remained, including persistently high concentrations. These findings emphasize the potential of sweat chloride concentration as a treatment response biomarker and the need to explore its heterogeneity and relationship with clinical outcomes.

Randomised, phase 1/2a trial of ION-827359, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of ENaC.

Hyperactivity of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) with increased sodium absorption is a feature of cystic fibrosis (CF). ION-827359 is a 2.5-generation antisense oligonucleotide targeted to reduce ENaC protein. This study evaluated ION-827359 safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In this three-part phase 1/2a, double-blind, randomised study, healthy volunteers received single doses of placebo or ION-827359 (3, 10, 37.5 or 100 mg; Part 1) or multiple doses of placebo or ION-827359 (5×10 mg, 5×37.5 mg, 5×75 mg or 10×37.5 mg; Part 2). People with CF (pwCF) received multiple doses of placebo or ION-827359 (5×10 mg, 5×37.5 mg, 5×75 mg and 5×100 mg; Part 3). Treatments were administered via Pari eFlow© mesh nebuliser. The primary outcome was safety; pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were also assessed. 64 healthy volunteers and 34 pwCF were enrolled. ION-827359 was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. There were no clinically relevant changes in laboratory values, ECG or vital signs. Systemic drug exposure was low (plasma half-life ∼2 weeks). Multiple doses of ION-827359 were associated with dose-dependent reductions in ENaC mRNA in bronchial epithelium. After multiple dosing, forced expiratory volume in 1 s was slightly higher in pwCF receiving ION-827359 (+2.9% with ION-827359 100 mg versus placebo; p=0.27). The tolerability and safety of ION-827359 appear favourable at this stage of investigation. Reduction in ENaC mRNA supports mechanistic efficacy at the doses and regimens tested, and supports further investigation of ION-827359 in pwCF.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa transcriptome analysis of metal restriction in ex vivo cystic fibrosis sputum.

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections are a feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) that many patients experience even with the advent of highly effective modulator therapies. Identifying factors that impact P. aeruginosa in the CF lung could yield novel strategies to eradicate infection or otherwise improve outcomes. To complement published P. aeruginosa studies using laboratory models or RNA isolated from sputum, we analyzed transcripts of strain PAO1 after incubation in sputum from different CF donors prior to RNA extraction. We compared PAO1 gene expression in this "spike-in" sputum model to that for P. aeruginosa grown in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium to determine key genes, which are among the most differentially expressed or most highly expressed. Using the key genes, gene sets with correlated expression were determined using the gene expression analysis tool eADAGE. Gene sets were used to analyze the activity of specific pathways in P. aeruginosa grown in sputum from different individuals. Gene sets that we found to be more active in sputum showed similar activation in published data that included P. aeruginosa RNA isolated from sputum relative to corresponding in vitro reference cultures. In the ex vivo samples, P. aeruginosa had increased levels of genes related to zinc and iron acquisition which were suppressed by metal amendment of sputum. We also found a significant correlation between expression of the H1-type VI secretion system and CFTR corrector use by the sputum donor. An ex vivo sputum model or synthetic sputum medium formulation that imposes metal restriction may enhance future CF-related studies.IMPORTANCEIdentifying the gene expression programs used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to colonize the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) will illuminate new therapeutic strategies. To capture these transcriptional programs, we cultured the common P. aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1 in expectorated sputum from CF patient donors. Through bioinformatic analysis, we defined sets of genes that are more transcriptionally active in real CF sputum compared to a synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium. Many of the most differentially active gene sets contained genes related to metal acquisition, suggesting that these gene sets play an active role in scavenging for metals in the CF lung environment which may be inadequately represented in some models. Future studies of P. aeruginosa transcript abundance in CF may benefit from the use of an expectorated sputum model or media supplemented with factors that induce metal restriction.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Cystic Fibrosis in Omani Children: A Multi-center Cross-sectional Study.

To describe the demographic distribution of cystic fibrosis (CF) in Omani children, estimate the national prevalence, and provide updated mutational panels of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all CF patients who had been diagnosed and followed-up at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Royal Hospital in Oman between 2006 and 2020. Data were collected from electronic hospital records and telephone interviews. A total of 227 patients with CF were included in the study. Geographical clusters of the disease were identified in the governorates of Al-Batinah, A'Dhahirah, and A'Dakhiliyah. Parental consanguinity and family history of CF were present in 68.3% and 69.6% of the patients, respectively. The most common CFTR mutation was p.Ser549Arg (52.0%), followed by p.Phe508del (12.3%), and c.2988+1G>A (4.4%). Three novel CFTR mutations were identified, viz., Leu88TyrFs*, p.Asp192Val, and c.4242+1G>C. The estimated prevalence of CF in Oman is 10.3 per 100 000 individuals. Premarital genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic testing are recommended in CF-prevalent regions.

ECFS standards of care on CFTR-related disorders: Diagnostic criteria of CFTR dysfunction

The spectrum of disorders involving CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) dysfunction correlates with a continuous gradient of CFTR function defined by the combination of two allelic CFTR variants. CFTR-related disorders are clinical entities with features of cystic fibrosis (CF) and evidence for presence of CFTR dysfunction but not meeting criteria for diagnosis of CF. Individuals with CFTR-RDs demonstrate a wide range of CFTR activity and are still under-recognized or misclassified. The level of CFTR dysfunction may be measured in vivo (sweat testing, nasal potential difference measurements) and/or by ex vivo tests (intestinal current measurement), or indirectly indicated by CFTR variants, as alteration in sequence of the CFTR gene translates into CFTR dysfunction. CFTR bioassays can aid in the diagnosis of individuals with CF, but we lack parameters to differentiate CF from CFTR-RD. In the era of the CFTR modulators and their potential clinical benefit, it is of utmost importance to diagnose CFTR-RD as unambiguously as possible. We therefore propose the following to define compatible CFTR dysfunction in a person with a suspected diagnosis of CFTR-RD :(1) evidence of CFTR dysfunction in vivo or ex vivo in at least two different CFTR functional test types, or(2) One CFTR variant known to reduce CFTR function and evidence of CFTR dysfunction in vivo or ex vivo in at least two different CFTR functional test types, or(3) Two CFTR variants shown to reduce CFTR function, with at most one CF-causing variant.

Cystic fibrosis – multisystemic affection with complex diagnostic evaluations

This study highlights the clinical-paraclinical features of cystic fibrosis with multisystemic impairment in children. It is a study of 80 patients with CF, mean age 8,79±0,96 years (1 month – 38 years), and average age of cystic fibrosis diagnosis – 2,6±0,88 years. Bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis patients was predominantly sacciforms (60 %), often with fluid levels. 25 % cystic fibrosis patients were diagnosed with pleurisy, the lung empyema was confirmed in 7,5 % of cases, pulmonary destructions – in 27,5 % cases. It was elucidated the imagistic changes in the pancreas and liver in children with cystic fibrosis.

Медикаментозное управление продукцией антимикробных пептидов при муковисцидозе у детей

В статье представлены сведения о медикаментозном управлении продукцией антимикробных пептидов при муковисцидозе у детей. Приведены данные о типах и классах мутаций гена трансмембранного регуляторного протеина муковисцидоза (CFTR) и их ассоциации с клиническими особенностями кистозного фиброза. Представлено значение антимикробных пептидов в хроническом инфекционно-воспалительном процессе органов дыхания при муковисцидозе. Продемонстрированы молекулярные механизмы влияния витамина D на экспрессию антимикробных пептидов в респираторном тракте при муковисцидозе, а также проанализированы новые возможности применения витамина D в терапии детей с данным заболеванием.

Adults with cystic fibrosis – medical challenges and a psychosocial adaptation in the context of risk of a premature death

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting genetic disorder of Caucasians. It impairs the functions of many organs with its greatest effects on the lungs and digestion. Treatment of the disease involves a multi- component regimen, including airway clearance techniques, nebulized medications, antibiotics, pancreatic enzymes and increased caloric intake. Cystic fibrosis is a burden for patients and their families in the context of their daily life tasks. The article presents generic medical, psychosocial problems of adult patients with CF, which are still little known in Poland. The detailed issues are: medical characteristics of cystic fibrosis as a rare disease, organizational conditions of rehabilitation, specific psychosocial problems including: a depression, an anxiety and a reproductive health in cystic fibrosis in the context of a premature death.

CT score and correlation with lung function and microbiology of adult patients with cystic fibrosis with predominant I1234V genotype in Qatar.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) features of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease can be objectively quantified using current CT scoring systems to assess the extent and severity of the disease. The aims of this study were to calculate the Santamaria CT scores in adult patients with CF with the predominant CFTR I1234V genotype, determine its reliability, and correlate these parameters with lung function, microbial colonization, compliance to treatment, and exacerbations. Methodology: This retrospective observational study was conducted on adult patients with CF who were regularly followed up in the adult CF service at Qatar via CT scans that were taken not during an acute exacerbation. CT scans were scored using the Santamaria scoring system. Corresponding spirometry, microbiological data of sputum culture, and relevant clinical data were correlated with individual CT scores. Results: Only 23 of the 31 patients underwent CT when not in an acute exacerbation and were included in the study analysis. A total of 20 (87%) patients had the I1234V genotype. There was good agreement between the two radiologists on the Santamaria CT scores with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value of 0.991. Bronchiectasis was the most consistent finding, followed by interlobular and intralobular septal thickening. Patients with poor lung function and frequent exacerbations had significantly higher CT scores (p = 0.015). The CT scores of patients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa were higher but nonsignificant (p = 0.20). The mean CT scores were significantly higher in patients who were noncompliant to regular treatment than in those who were compliant (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Santamaria CT scores comprise a reliable scoring system for adult patients with CF and can be used to determine the extent and severity of lung disease. P. aeruginosa colonization causes more structural lung damage than other common colonizing organisms. Noncompliance to treatment has a significant impact on the increasing severity of CF lung disease.

The pathological features of cystic fibrosis and the diagnostic techniques and treatments involved

Cystic fibrosis is a disease found predominantly in Caucasians. It is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The mutation(s) lead to defective CFTR proteins, or transmembrane cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent chloride channels found on the surface of epithelial cells. The respiratory system is most impacted by this abnormal phenotype, and lung disease can bring about the majority of the various issues that a cystic fibrosis patient has to deal with. Even so, due to the excess amount of mucus that is secreted, individuals diagnosed with cystic fibrosis experience complications in other organs as well. Today, newborn screening is widely used as a means of early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, and there are also multiple other novel technologies that aim for accurate diagnosis and prevention of the disease. In addition, while traditional treatment programs are based on curing the symptoms that the patients exhibit, new regimens are directed at correcting the error that occurred at the molecular level. With improvements made in the medical field, cystic fibrosis patients are able to live longer and have a better quality of life. This review article serves as a compilation of the current knowledge on the causes of cystic fibrosis, the physiological processes associated with the disease, the techniques for diagnosis of the disease, and finally the recent and upcoming therapeutics for the disease.

P458 Psychological characteristics of cystic fibrosis at all phases of the disease. Results from all 8 Federal Districts of the Russian Federation

P458 Psychological characteristics of cystic fibrosis at all phases of the disease. Results from all 8 Federal Districts of the Russian Federation

DNA Methylation Regulates RGS2-induced S100A12 Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells.

RGS2 is a key modulator of stress in human airway epithelial cells, especially of hyperresponsiveness and mucin hypersecretion, both of which are features of cystic fibrosis (CF). Because its expression can be modulated through the DNA methylation pathway, we hypothesize that RGS2 is downregulated by DNA hypermethylation in CF airway epithelial cells. This downregulation would then lead to an enhanced inflammatory response. We demonstrated RGS2 transcript and protein downregulation in cultured airway epithelial cells from patients with CF and validated our findings in two CF epithelial cell lines. A methylated DNA immunoprecipitation array showed the presence of methylated cytosine on 13 gene promoters in CF. Among these genes, we confirmed that the RGS2 promoter was hypermethylated by using bisulfite conversion coupled with a methylation-specific PCR assay. Finally, we showed that downregulation of RGS2 in non-CF cells increased the expression of S100A12, a proinflammatory marker. These results highlight the importance of epigenetic regulation in gene expression in CF and show that RGS2 might modulate the inflammatory response in CF through DNA methylation control.

Sonographic pancreas echogenicity in cystic fibrosis compared to exocrine pancreatic function and pancreas fat content at Dixon-MRI.

ObjectiveFatty infiltration of the pancreas is a dominating feature in cystic fibrosis (CF). We evaluate the association between pancreatic fat content assessed by Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pancreatic echogenicity at ultrasonography (US) and exocrine function in CF patients and healthy controls (HC).Material and methodsTransabdominal US, pancreatic Dixon-MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were performed in 21 CF patients and 15 HCs. Exocrine function was assessed by endoscopic secretin test and fecal elastase.ResultsCF patients were grouped according to exocrine pancreatic function as subjects with normal (CFS: n = 11) or reduced (CFI: n = 10) function. Among CFI 90% (9/10) had visual hyperechogenicity. CFI also had increased echo-level values (p<0.05 vs others). All CFI (10/10) had markedly increased pancreatic fat content estimated by MRI compared to sufficient groups, p<0.001). Among CFS patients and HC, 27% (3/11) and 33% (5/15), respectively, had hyperechoic pancreas. However, all these had low pancreatic fat-content at MRI compared to CFI. In CFI, pancreatic fat content was correlated to ADC (r = -0.93, p<0.001).ConclusionPancreas insufficient CF patients exhibit severe pancreatic fatty-infiltration at MRI and hyperechoic pancreas at US. Pancreas hyperechogenicity in pancreatic sufficient subjects does not co-exist with fatty infiltration at MRI. MRI evaluates pancreatic fatty infiltration more accurately than US and fat infiltration estimated by MRI outperforms sonographic hyper-echogenicity as a marker for exocrine pancreatic failure in CF.

P257 Characteristics of cystic fibrosis in regions of the Russian Federation

P257 Characteristics of cystic fibrosis in regions of the Russian Federation

Characteristics of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with troubled evolution after suffering an atelectasis.

Characteristics of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with troubled evolution after suffering an atelectasis.

GENOTYPE-PHENOTYPE CORRELATIONS OF THE COURSE OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS IN RUSSIAN CHILDREN. THE FIRST DESCRIPTION OF ELEVEN NEW MUTATIONS

Background. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that occurs as a result of mutations in the regulator gene of chloride ion transmembrane transport (CFTR). Finding mutations in the CFTR gene is necessary for identification of the clinical features of cystic fibrosis. Objective. Our aim was to identify genotype-phenotype correlations between mutations of the first class of pathogenicity and clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis based on studying the prevalence and structure of CFTR gene mutations. Methods. The study included children under 18 years with cystic fibrosis admitted to hospital between 2013 and 2017. Biallelic mutations in the CFTR gene were the noninclusion criterion. The CFTR gene variants were analyzed by next-generation sequencing method. Results. In 125 patients with cystic fibrosis, 59 different variants of the CFTR gene were detected, 11 of them not previously described. The most common was the deletion c.1521_1523del found in 98 (39.2%) of the 250 analyzed CFTR gene alleles and the deletion c.1545_1546del found in 22/250 (8.8%) alleles. It has been shown that the mutation c.1545_1546del, p.Y515* was more often found in children of the Chechen nation — odds ratio (OR) 139 (95% confidence interval 15–1,257). It has been established that meconium ileus, pancreatic deficiency and cirrhosis are more common in patients with mutations of the first category of pathogenicity: OR 3.9 (95% CI 1.0–15.0), 4.4 (95% CI 1.8–11.1), and 351 (95% CI 17.5–7,046), respectively. The association of CFTR gene mutations with the development of bronchiectases and polypous pancinusitis has not been found. Conclusion . Correlations between the genotype and clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis in Russian children with CFTR gene mutations of the first class of pathogenicity have been established.

Interleukin-17 Is Required for Control of Chronic Lung Infection Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Chronic pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) and other chronic lung diseases. Cytokines of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) family have been proposed as important in the host response to P. aeruginosa infection through their role in augmenting antibacterial immune responses, although their proinflammatory effect may contribute to lung damage that occurs as a result of chronic infection. We set out to explore the role of IL-17 in the host response to chronic P. aeruginosa infection. We used a murine model of chronic pulmonary infection with CF-related strains of P. aeruginosa. We demonstrate that IL-17 cytokine signaling is essential for mouse survival and prevention of chronic infection at 2 weeks postinoculation using two different P. aeruginosa strains. Following infection, there was a marked expansion of cells within mediastinal lymph nodes, comprised mainly of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs); ∼90% of IL-17-producing (IL-17+) cells had markers consistent with group 3 ILCs. A smaller percentage of IL-17+ cells had markers consistent with a B1 phenotype. In lung homogenates harvested 14 days following infection, there was a significant expansion of IL-17+ cells; about 50% of these were CD3+, split equally between CD4+ Th17 cells and γδ T cells, while the CD3− IL-17+ cells were almost exclusively group 3 ILCs. Further experiments with B cell-deficient mice showed that B cell production of IL-17 or natural antibodies did not provide any defense against chronic P. aeruginosa infection. Thus, IL-17 rather than antibody is a key element in host defense against chronic pulmonary infection with P. aeruginosa.

Automatic determination of lung features of CF patients in CT scans

Abstract This paper describes a prototype of an automatic system for the detection and evaluation of Cystic fibrosis features (CF) in High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) Scans. The aim of this study lies in presenting this system as a decision support tool for radiologists in future. The CF features that have been detected and evaluated are Bronchiectasis and Mucus Plugging. This system recognizes Bronchiectasis as the presence of enlarged airways in pulmonary CF-CT slices whereas, Mucus Plugging has been recognized as clusters of high attenuation pixels. The dataset of this study consists of HRCT Scans of five CF patients of varying disease stages. Mean percentages of these CF features that were computed for each intercostal space, starting from the first to the fifth, fairly accurately match the different stages of the disease.

Reduced effect of intravenous antibiotic treatment on sinonasal markers in pulmonary inflammation.

Chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis is a common feature in Cystic fibrosis (CF) as mucociliary clearance in the sinonasal compartment is impaired. Aim of the present prospective study was to compare dynamics of inflammatory markers in the upper and lower airways (UAW/LAW) during systemic antibiotic therapy. Nasal lavage and sputum of 16 CF-patients receiving an IV-antibiotic treatment against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/ or Staphylococcus aureus were collected before and during treatment (median after 7.5 days). Cytological changes, DNA concentration, and inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-13 and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assessed in samples from both airway compartments. Total cell count declined significantly in LAW-samples but not in UAW. Although MPO and IL-8 decreased significantly in both airway compartments, this was considerably more pronounced for LAW (median decrease MPO: LAW=9.8-fold vs UAW=1.75-fold, respectively; IL-8: LAW=3-fold vs UAW=1.9-fold, respectively). This is the first publication demonstrating substantially lower effects of IV-antibiotic treatment on sinonasal than on pulmonary inflammatory markers. Consequently, our findings highlight limitations of systemic antibiotic treatment to control infection in the sinonasal compartment. Primarily, we attribute this to the paranasal sinus ́ structure: these hollow organs, which in bacterial sinusitis are frequently filled with pus, mucoeceles and polyps, are not reached effectively by systemic antibiotic treatment.

Reduced effect of intravenous antibiotic treatment on sinonasal markers in pulmonary inflammation

Chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis is a common feature in Cystic fibrosis (CF) as mucociliary clearance in the sinonasal compartment is impaired. Aim of the present prospective study was to compare dynamics of inflammatory markers in the upper and lower airways (UAW/LAW) during systemic antibiotic therapy. Nasal lavage and sputum of 16 CF-patients receiving an IV-antibiotic treatment against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/ or Staphylococcus aureus were collected before and during treatment (median after 7.5 days). Cytological changes, DNA concentration, and inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-13 and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assessed in samples from both airway compartments. Total cell count declined significantly in LAW-samples but not in UAW. Although MPO and IL-8 decreased significantly in both airway compartments, this was considerably more pronounced for LAW (median decrease MPO: LAW=9.8-fold vs UAW=1.75-fold, respectively; IL-8: LAW=3-fold vs UAW=1.9-fold, respectively). This is the first publication demonstrating substantially lower effects of IV-antibiotic treatment on sinonasal than on pulmonary inflammatory markers. Consequently, our findings highlight limitations of systemic antibiotic treatment to control infection in the sinonasal compartment. Primarily, we attribute this to the paranasal sinus ́ structure: these hollow organs, which in bacterial sinusitis are frequently filled with pus, mucoeceles and polyps, are not reached effectively by systemic antibiotic treatment.