Protective role of CFTR during fungal infection of cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells with Aspergillus fumigatus.

ABSTRACT: Lung infection with the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) is a common complication in cystic fibrosis (CF) and is associated with loss of pulmonary function. We established a fungal epithelial co-culture model to examine the impact of Af infection on CF bronchial epithelial barrier function using Af strains 10AF and AF293-GFP, and the CFBE41o- cell line homozygous for the F508del mutation with (CF^+CFTR) and without (CF) normal CFTR expression. Following exposure of the epithelial surface to Af conidia, formation of germlings (early stages of fungal growth) was detected after 9-12 hours and hyphae (mature fungal growth) after 12-24 hours. During fungal morphogenesis, bronchial epithelial cells showed signs of damage including rounding, and partial detachment after 2

SUBMITTER: Illek B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10482090 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature