Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common multi-organ and life-span shorthening genetic disease involving the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This anion channel regulates the secretion of components in sweat, mucus and digestive juices. Actually, some CFTR correctors/ptentiators that rescue the trafficking/functioning of CFTR mutants are in phase III clinical trials. Unfortunately, current CFTR bioassays are uncomfortable and/or scarcely practicable in CF patients.Therefore, we suggested to perform CFTR bioassays in blood leukocytes (monocytes). We intend to apply SR microFTIR spectroscopy to obtain mid-IR reference spectra representative of some human CF cell lines and of blood monocytes from CF patients in order to identify IR signatures of CFTR correctors/potentiator and to test microFTIR as a method to identify the effecacy of drugs on CFTR mutants.
