Multilevel Models of Therapeutic Response in the Lungs

The goal of this research is to develop a series of interconnected models of therapeutic response in the diseased lung, focused primarily on Cystic Fibrosis (CF), that will ultimately provide a means for predicting in vivo response based on patient-specific in vitro testing, allowing for the optimization and personalization of therapies. Investigators use both human bronchial epithelial (HBE) and more recently human nasal epithelial (HNE) cell cultures to study CF pathophysiology. The investigators performing this study have also developed functional imaging biomarkers in the lung that provide organ level quantification of CF lung physiology (mucociliary clearance and airway liquid absorption), and, more recently, in silico systems models of lung physiology at both the cell and organ level. The in silico models provide a framework of differential equations that describe how basic physiological processes interact and contribute to experimental outcomes. Their use allows these mechanisms to be more specifically differentiated. Here the investigators propose to link in vitro and in vivo response by sampling and culturing HNE cell cultures from both non-CF and CF subjects who will also perform a series of physiological assessments, including functional imaging scans. The in silico models will facilitate linking therapeutic studies in cells to therapeutic outcomes in patients.

• CF PATIENTS will perform 2 study days.

Study day 1 will include:

• nasal potential difference measurements
• pulmonary function testing
• inert gas washout testing
• urine pregnancy testing
• nasal cell sampling
• nuclear MCC/ABS scan (to include inhalation of isotonic or hypertonic saline - randomized order)
• blood draw for CFTR genotyping if not already available.

Study day 2 will include

• pulmonary function testing
• urine pregnancy testing
• nuclear MCC/ABS scan (to include inhalation of isotonic or hypertonic saline - randomized order)
• PARENTS OF ENROLLED CF patients who choose to participate will perform 1 study day which will include:

• nasal potential difference measurements
• pulmonary function testing
• inert gas washout testing
• urine pregnancy testing
• nasal cell sampling
• nuclear MCC/ABS scan (to include inhalation of isotonic saline)
• a single blood sample drawn for CFTR genotyping.
• HEALTHY CONTROLS will perform 1 screening and 1 study day which will include:

• pulmonary function testing
• inert gas washout testing
• urine pregnancy testing
• nasal cell sampling
• nuclear MCC/ABS scan (to include inhalation of isotonic saline)
• a single blood sample drawn for CFTR genotyping (at screening).

Cystic Fibrosis Subjects: Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 12 or older
• Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis as determined by sweat test or genotype
• Clinically stable as determined by a physician co-investigator

Cystic Fibrosis Subjects: Exclusion Criteria

• Smokers or users of electronic cigarettes
• FEV1%p <30% of predicted
• Nursing, pregnant or unwilling to test for pregnancy
• Intolerant to hypertonic saline
• Unable or unwilling to discontinue hypertonic saline, Pulmozyme, and long acting bronchodilators for 24 hrs before testing and short acting bronchodilators on testing days.

CF parents: Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 18 and older
• Biological parent of a CF patient who is also enrolled in the study

CF parents: Exclusion Criteria

• Smokers or users of electronic cigarettes
• FEV1%p <30% of predicted
• Nursing, pregnant or unwilling to test for pregnancy
• Unwilling to discontinue long acting bronchodilators for 24 hrs before testing and short acting bronchodilators on testing days.
• Unwilling to perform CFTR genotyping.

Healthy controls: Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 18 and older
• No history of lung disease

Healthy Controls: Exclusion Criteria

• Smokers or users of electronic cigarettes
• FEV1%p <70% of predicted
• Nursing, pregnant or unwilling to test for pregnancy
• Carriers of known disease causing CFTR mutations
• Unwilling to perform CFTR genotyping.