New zinc discovery offers promise for cystic fibrosis patients

Researchers from the University of Queensland have discovered a fault in the bacteria-killing function of immune cells in people with Cystic Fibrosis and a way to reduce infections in people living with it.

Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic disease in which defects in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) channel cause a build-up of mucus in the lungs, airways and digestive system, leading to recurring infections. In people with Cystic Fibrosis, immune cells called macrophages are defective in a zinc pathway that the body uses to kill bacteria.

“One way that macrophages destroy bacteria is by poisoning them with toxic levels of metals such as zinc,” said Professor Matt Sweet,Molecular Bioscience Professor at UQ. “We discovered that the CFTR ion channel is crucial to the zinc pathway and because it doesn’t work properly in people with CF, it may partly explain why they’re more susceptible to bacterial infections.”

Around 70,000 to 100,000 people worldwide are affected by cystic fibrosis, which can reduce life expectancy to an average of 47 years.