Impact of PEGylation on the mucolytic activity of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I in cystic fibrosis sputum.

Highly viscous mucus and its impaired clearance characterize the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Pulmonary secretions of patients with CF display increased concentrations of high molecular weight components such as DNA and actin. Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I (rhDNase) delivered by inhalation cleaves DNA filaments contained in respiratory secretions and thins them.