Effects of cigarette smoke and other air pollutants on CFTR function
In addition to loss-of-function mutations in cftr, prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke leads to an acquired CFTR deficiency that may account for some similarities between COPD and cystic fibrosis symptoms. Acute exposure to smoke stimulates CFTR-dependent secretion. We will determine the mechanisms of CFTR regulation by pollutants and the role of oxidative stress during both stimulation and inhibition.