New, Rare Cell Type in Lung Airways Identified as Key Carrier of CFTR Gene, Study Reports

CLICK HERE - STUDY - A revised airway epithelial hierarchy includes CFTR-expressing ionocytes

cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com - by Patricia Inacio - August 3, 2018

A previously undiscovered and rare type of cell has been identified in the tissue lining the airway of the lungs and carrying high levels of the CFTR gene, the mutation of which is the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a study reports.

While the exact role of these cells, named “ionocytes” by the researchers, in CF is still unknown, the findings from this study highlight their potential as targets for future therapeutics.

The study, “A revised airway epithelial hierarchy includes CFTR-expressing ionocytes,” was published in the journal Nature . . .

 . . . “The data are starting to change the way we think about lung diseases like cystic fibrosis and asthma” . . .

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