Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

Future Research Projects

EFFECTS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS VIRULENCE FACTORS ON SMOOTH MUSCLE MOTILITY AND EPITHELIAL ION SECRETION

Supervisor

Dr Pete Johnson
Assistant Professor of Physiology

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease in the Caucasian population. CF patients have increased susceptibility to microbial lung infections, commonly by Pseudomonas aeruiginosa leading to premature death in as many as 80% of colonised individuals. In chronic infections, P.aeruginosa produces several virulence factors, such as pyocyanin (PCN). It has been shown in previous studies that PCN contributes to disease by damaging lung cells, increasing inflammation and inhibiting immune responses. PCN is secreted in massive quantities and can enter the bloodstream to affect other organs. However, little is known about the physiological effects of pyocyanin on the function of tissues such smooth muscle and epithelial tissue.

AIMS OF THE PROJECT

This project will investigate the effects of PCN on tracheal smooth muscle, and water and electrolyte secretion in isolated epithelial tissue, and elucidate the sites of actions and pharmacological mechanisms responsible for these effects. The information gained will increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, and provide a basis for the development of therapies to improve the health outcomes of P.aeruginosa-infected CF patients.

METHODS

This project will combine functional studies of motility and water and electrolyte secretion in cultured epithelial cells and animal tissues in vitro, to investigate the effects of PCN.