Iron chelation as novel treatment for lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that results in defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein expression and function in various tissues. The leading cause of CF mortality and morbidity is the progressive destruction of the lungs due to recurrent infections and chronic inflammation. CFTR defect also affects immune cells, including neutrophils, resulting in ineffective, severe and persistent inflammatory response. Since unopposed recruitment of neutrophils significantly contributes to lung tissue damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we hypothesize that the administration of iron chelators could serve as a novel treatment to attenuate chronic inflammation in CF lungs since iron is significantly involved in ROS production by neutrophils. Ideally, the iron chelator should sequester host iron effectively, prevent bacterial access to chelator-bound iron and penetrates lung tissues efficiently, e.g. by inhalational route of administration.