Abstract
Background CFTR triple modulator therapy, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) has transformed care for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) who have eligible mutations. It is, however, not curative. Response to treatment also varies and lung disease although slowed, remains progressive. We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by selective furin inhibition offers an alternative, mutation-agnostic approach to enhance airways hydration and restore mucociliary transport (MCT) in CF. Inhibition of furin therefore, offers a potential therapeutic strategy for those ineligible, intolerant or non-responsive to ETI and may provide a further opportunity for clinical benefit for those currently treated with ETI. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of furin inhibition on ETI responses to assess its utility as an adjunct therapy.
Methods Differentiated primary human CF bronchial epithelial cells (CF HBECs) were treated with the highly selective furin inhibitor, BOS-318 and ETI. Ion channel function was measured using a 24-channel Transepithelial Current Clamp (TECC-24) system and airways surface hydration was investigated by measuring airway surface liquid (ASL) height and MCT rate.
Results The presence of BOS-318 had no effect on the ability of ETI to stimulate CFTR-mediated Cl− secretion but contributed a reduced Na+ transport via robust inhibition of ENaC. This altered ion transport profile effected an improved ASL height and MCT rate which were significantly greater than improvements observed with ETI alone, demonstrating the benefits of the dual approach.
Conclusions Selective furin inhibition has potential to further improve clinical outcomes for all pwCF and offers opportunity as an adjunct to improve responses to currently available CFTR modulator therapies.
Footnotes
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Conflicts of interest: BOS-318 was developed at GlaxoSmithKline and licensed to Boston Pharmaceuticals.
Conflicts of interest: S.L.M. and J.A.R. received a project grant from Boston Pharmaceuticals, which employed L.E.J.D. The funders had no role in the design of the study or in the collection, analyses or interpretation of data; or in the writing of the manuscript. The authors declare no other competing interests.
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- Received May 1, 2024.
- Accepted September 12, 2024.
- Copyright ©The authors 2024
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