Publications by authors named "D B Downey"
Background: Inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is difficult to treat with well-established regimens often including azithromycin (AZ) as an immunomodulatory drug. As AZ has been reported to require CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to be able to reduce interleukin (IL)-8 and given the emergence of highly effective CFTR "triple" modulator therapy (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor; ETI), the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of AZ and ETI, singly and in combination, on ion channel activity and to assess the potential anti-inflammatory effects.
Methods: Electrophysiological assessment of ETI and AZ was performed on three-dimensional cultures of primary CF human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells using a Multi Trans-Epithelial Current Clamp.
Article Synopsis
- - SLPI is a key protein that plays a role in airway immunity by inhibiting harmful enzymatic activity, and it also has anti-inflammatory effects by regulating immune responses through NF-κB inhibition.
- - In lung diseases like COPD and Cystic Fibrosis, SLPI levels can be elevated due to inflammation, but some studies show that COPD patients may have lower SLPI levels, which could weaken airway immunity.
- - Researchers are using a mouse model that mimics features of COPD and CF to study the effects of SLPI by creating a genetically modified mouse (ENaC-Tg/SLPI) to understand how the absence of SLPI influences the progression of these chronic lung diseases.
SUMMARYThis guidance presents recommendations for clinical microbiology laboratories for processing respiratory samples from people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Appropriate processing of respiratory samples is crucial to detect bacterial and fungal pathogens, guide treatment, monitor the epidemiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens, and assess therapeutic interventions. Thanks to CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapy, the health of pwCF has improved, but as a result, fewer pwCF spontaneously expectorate sputum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In the U.S. there are significant racial and gender disparities in the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
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