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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
Published on: April 11, 2018
Cystic fibrosis heterozygotes do not have increased platelet activation
Inge Tarnow1, Alan D Michelson, Andrew L Frelinger
1Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen, The Faculty of Life Sciences, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Introduction:
We have previously demonstrated platelet hyperreactivity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Carriers of one CF mutation (heterozygotes) have been shown to have abnormalities related to the presence of only one-half the normal amount of CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein. Platelet hyperreactivity in CF heterozygotes would be an important cardiovascular risk factor, since approximately 1 in 25 Caucasians is a CF carrier.
Materials And Methods:
We used highly sensitive assays of platelet activation to assess the difference between 16 CF heterozygotes and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls without CF mutations.
Results:
We found no difference in platelet activation between CF heterozygotes and controls.
Conclusions:
The 50% reduction in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein in heterozygotes is insufficient to cause platelet activation.
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