Antibiofilm and mucolytic action of nitric oxide delivered via gas or macromolecular donor using in vitro and ex vivo models

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by chronic respiratory infection leading to severe lung degradation [1,2]. The pathological mucus in the lungs of CF patients has altered biophysical properties (e.g., viscosity, elasticity) and results in decreased or failed mucociliary clearance, impairment of the immune response, and decreased antibiotic efficacy [3 –5]. The altered biophysical characteristics of CF mucus are due in large part to elevated concentrations of macromolecules (e.g., mucins, DNA) and decreased volume of the airway surface liquid [2,4–6].

Source: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis - March 20, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Kaitlyn R. Rouillard, David B. Hill, Mark H. Schoenfisch Source Type: research