We hypothesized that sensitization/challenge of CFTR(-/-) mice with an Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) extract will affect eicosanoid pathway gene expression, impacting ABPA and CF.
The odds of encountering CFTR mutation was higher in ABPA compared with the control group (OR 10.39; 95% CI, 4.35-24.79) or the asthma population (OR 5.53; 95% CI 1.62-18.82).
We hypothesized that replacement of CFTR via targeted gene delivery to airway epithelium would correct aberrant epithelial cytokine signaling and ameliorate the ABPA phenotype in CFTR-deficient (CFTR 489X - /-, FABP-hCFTR + / +) mice.
These findings indicate that in patients without a clinical diagnosis of CF, CFTR gene mutations could be involved in the development of ABPA, in association with other genetic or environmental factors.
To test this possibility, the entire coding region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene was analyzed in 11 individuals who met strict criteria for the diagnosis of ABPA and had normal sweat electrolytes (< or = 40 mmol/liter).