Human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator directed to respiratory epithelial cells of transgenic mice.

Human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was expressed in transgenic mice under the control of transcriptional elements derived from the human surfactant protein C (SP-C) gene. The hCFTR mRNA was expressed in lungs and testes: in the lung, we found hCFTR mRNA in bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells, and CFTR protein in respiratory epithelial cells. While the level of expression of hCFTR mRNA varied, hCFTR mRNA and protein were detected in pulmonary epithelial cells of several lines. Lung weight, morphology, somatic growth and reproductive capacity were not altered by expression hCFTR in lung and testes of the transgenics. Our findings suggest that hCFTR can be safely transferred to lung epithelial cells for CF therapy.