As CFTR channel is closed in cystic fibrosis, halogens like chlorine Cl^-, iodine I^- or thiocyanate SCN^- cannot reach the top of the epithelium. At the same time Duox proteins are blocked by pyocyanin released by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, airway peroxidase (also called lactoperoxidase) antimicrobial system cannot produce the OSCN^- antimicrobial compound. Bacteria then grow on the epîthelium and agglutinate as biofilm for selfprotection against antibiotic therapies.

In order to compensate the deficency of the innate lung defense, we plan to deliver the missing antimicrobial compound, OSCN^-, directly on the lung epithelium, using well known nebuliser technologies.

Lactoferrin, the second active compound, increase OSCN^- antimicrobial efficacy by synergistic mechanism of action and acts also as microorganism biofilm breaker.

Download abstract