Penn Study on Lung-Infecting Bacterial Enzyme Suggests New Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Treatment.

Byline: University of Pennsylvania Health System

PHILADELPHIA, April 18 (AScribe Newswire) -- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that an enzyme produced by lung-infecting bacteria further shuts down a protein that is defective in cystic fibrosis patients. The disruption to this protein that conveys ions from lung cells to airways causes thick mucus to buildup inside the lung. The finding suggests a new therapeutic target for treating lung infections in some cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Lung infection, facilitated by CF mutations, is the main cause of death in CF patients. This bacterial component to CF now helps …