Acquired cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator dysfunction in the lower airways in COPD.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cigarette smoke and smoking-induced inflammation decrease cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity and mucociliary transport in the nasal airway and cultured bronchial epithelial cells. This raises the possibility that lower airway CFTR dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of COPD. We compared lower airway CFTR activity in current and former smokers with COPD, current smokers without COPD, and lifelong nonsmokers to examine the relationships between clinical characteristics and CFTR expression and function.

Methods

Demographic, spirometry, and symptom questionnaire data were collected. CFTR activity was determined by nasal potential difference (NPD) and lower airway potential difference (LAPD) assays. The primary measure of

SUBMITTER: Dransfield MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3734887 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature