Understanding How Bacterial Enzymes Opens Door to Cystic Fibrosis Advancements

Scientists had been aware of the presence of the bacteria in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients for quite some time before they studied it in-depth. They were aware that the bacteria were targeting something, but researchers were initially unable to determine whether or not the bacteria were targeting a byproduct of the disease, or something in the host body. It was in attempt to answer this question that the nature of the bacteria was discovered.

The body has several defense mechanisms in place that can alleviate inflammation and bring swelling down to normal levels. Among these are pro-resolving lipid mediators, which limit several processes that lead to severe inflammation, and bring down tissue inflammation after a time. 12-epi-lipoxinA4 is a pro-resolving lipid mediator that was identified as a target of the bacteria. Consequently, the bacteria secrete Cif, which in turn leads to chronic inflammation of the lungs.

If the bacteria could be treated with standard antibiotics, the discovery would have led to an immediate, practical solution for the prevention of chronic inflammation through Cif secretion. Unfortunately, another remarkable trait of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is that it is too strong to be treated with antibiotics. As such, researchers will have to turn to other methods of delivering treatment to the cystic fibrosis lung in order to control or clear out Pseudomonas aeruginosa.