Class

Article

College

College of Science

Department

English Department

Faculty Mentor

Irina Polejaeva

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Due to various mutations, the loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function causes cystic fibrosis (CF), predisposing the lungs to chronic infection and inflammation. In young infants with CF, structural airway defects are increasingly recognized before the onset of significant lung disease, which suggests a developmental origin and a possible role in lung disease pathogenesis. The function of CFTR in lung development is unclear and developmental studies in humans with CF are not feasible. Young CF sheep show similar lung development and spontaneous postnatal lung disease similar to humans impacted by CF. We studied lung development in the sheep model (non-CF and CF). At early developmental stages, budding CF airways had smaller, hypo-distended lumens than non-CF airways. Non-CF lung explants exhibited airway lumen distension in response to forskolin/IBMX and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10, consistent with CFTR-dependent anion transport/secretion; this was lacking in CF airways. Our results suggest that the CF proximal airway defects originate during branching morphogenesis and that the lack of CFTR-dependent anion transport/liquid secretion likely contributes to these deformities.

Location

Logan, UT

Start Date

4-8-2022 12:00 AM

Included in

Biology Commons

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Apr 8th, 12:00 AM

Impacts of CFTR Mutations on Pulmonary Development in Sheep

Logan, UT

Due to various mutations, the loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function causes cystic fibrosis (CF), predisposing the lungs to chronic infection and inflammation. In young infants with CF, structural airway defects are increasingly recognized before the onset of significant lung disease, which suggests a developmental origin and a possible role in lung disease pathogenesis. The function of CFTR in lung development is unclear and developmental studies in humans with CF are not feasible. Young CF sheep show similar lung development and spontaneous postnatal lung disease similar to humans impacted by CF. We studied lung development in the sheep model (non-CF and CF). At early developmental stages, budding CF airways had smaller, hypo-distended lumens than non-CF airways. Non-CF lung explants exhibited airway lumen distension in response to forskolin/IBMX and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10, consistent with CFTR-dependent anion transport/secretion; this was lacking in CF airways. Our results suggest that the CF proximal airway defects originate during branching morphogenesis and that the lack of CFTR-dependent anion transport/liquid secretion likely contributes to these deformities.