Cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cell culture

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent (incidence around l/2500 live births) genetic cause of death among Caucasians. It is an autosomal recessive disorder compromising the secretory epithelia. Clinically, CF is a polymorphic disease showing abnormal functioning of the airways, the digestive apparatus (pancreas and intestine), the reproductive tract, and the sweat glands, leading to respiratory insufficiency, mainutrition, male sterility, and production of salty sweat. The average life-span of CF patients falls around 25-30 yr of age in the United States and Europe, and around 10 yr of age in Latin America (1, 2). Respiratory infections are the cause of death of more than 90% of CF patients. No curative treatments are as yet available for CF.