Transcription profiling of human nasal brushing cells from 19 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 19 healthy controls

ABSTRACT: We have compared gene expression in human nasal brushing cells from 19 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 19 healthy controls using a 5.2K cDNA microarray. Our aim is to identify new disease biomarkers for the Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium. These markers will be used to report more effectively on the response to the administration of gene therapy in vivo. Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR) gene which encodes a chloride ion channel. The most common mutation is the ∆F508 mutation, present on 70% of CF chromosomes in Caucasian populations. The disease affects many organs in the body such as the pancreas, liver, sweat glands, small intestine and reproductive tracts but is most commonly associated with progressive, inflammatory lung disease. The current average life expectancy of CF patients is 35 years. Gene therapy is being developed as a treatment for CF airway disease, however, means of measuring the efficiency and efficacy of gene therapy in vivo are lacking. This is mainly due to the difficulty in measuring the chloride conductance of CFTR in cells and tissues. Furthermore, clinical assays for measuring improvements in lung function are insensitive. Surrogate markers of inflammation and CFTR function will therefore be important for the effective assessment of gene therapy in vivo. We have analysed gene expression in human nasal epithelium as this is considered an accessible surrogate for the conducting airways where disease manifests in the majority of patients. Additionally, this tissue will be sampled in clinical trials.

INSTRUMENT(S): Axon GenePix4000B

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

DISEASE(S): normal

SUBMITTER: Varrie Ogilvie 

PROVIDER: E-MEXP-436 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress