Pharmacologic Treatment of Abnormal Ion Transport in the Airway Epithelium in Cystic Fibrosis

¹ From the Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease reflecting mutations in the gene coding for the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein, which normally functions as a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-regulated chloride (Cl^-) channel. Functional abnormalities include thick airway secretions resulting from defective cAMP-mediated Cl^- (liquid) secretion and a related defect, excessive sodium (Na⁺) (liquid) absorption. Novel pharmacologic agents are being tested as therapy for these ion transport defects. Aerosolized amiloride inhibits excessive Na⁺ absorption, and pilot studies in adult patients with CF show slowing of the disease-associated decline in lung function. Clinical trials of amiloride are currently underway in adults and adolescents, and short-term safety studies have been initiated in children. Aerosolized uridine triphosphate (UTP) induces Cl^- (and liquid) secretion in CF airway epithelia via non-CFTR Cl^- channels. Short-term aerosolized UTP is well tolerated by normal subjects and patients with CF, and pilot studies in normal subjects show that aerosolized UTP is an effective stimulator of mucociliary clearance. Pharmacotherapy that modifies airway epithelial ion transport may provide new opportunities for treatment of CF lung disease.

Key Words: adenosine triphosphate • amiloride • chloride channels • cystic fibrosis • cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator • ion transport • sodium channels • uridine triphosphate