Genetically engineered approaches to the treatment of cystic fibrosis

Failure of functions of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conduction regulator) gene, which encodes a protein of a selective ion channel, is causing cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a severe systemic monogenic disease with an autosomal recessive type of inheritance, which significantly reduces the duration and quality of life of patients. It is one of the most common hereditary diseases. Studying of molecular functions of CFTR protein in different types of cells, its structural and functional network interactions are critically important for the development of a new and more effective pathogenetic therapy. We are reviewing papers on the structure of the CFTR protein and its pathogenic genetic variants, as well as methods of pathogenetic therapy of cystic fibrosis by CFTR modulators and gene engineering. Recent gene engineering approaches to keep CFTR functions are discussed, such as gene-replacement therapy and genome editing, as well as viral and non-viral delivery systems and strategies of genomic editors.