Genetic breakthrough on cystic fibrosis
A GENE discovery could pave the way to new treatments for cystic fibrosis, scientists reported last night.
The gene, called IFRD1, controls the severity of the lethal, inherited disease, which clogs up and destroys the lungs.
A genetic study showed small variations of IFRD1 affected the seriousness of cystic fibrosis symptoms in almost 3,000 human patients.
In mice with the disease, deleting the gene reduced lung inflammation. Scientists discovered the protein made by IFRD1 regulates the function of white blood cells called neutrophils.
The cells, part of the immune system, are known to cause inflammatory damage to the airways of people with cystic fibrosis.
The research showed that removing IFRD1 blunted the inflammatory response of neutrophils, but did not impair the overall functioning of the immune system.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
