Description of the clinical picture and assessment of functional activity of the CFTR channel in a patient with a complex allele [S466X; R1070Q]

The presence of pathogenic variants in the CFTR gene causes cystic fibrosis (CF) through various molecular mechanisms that affect the formation and functional activity of the CFTR chloride channel. An important factor affecting the phenotypic manifestations of CF and the effectiveness of targeted therapy is the presence of complex alleles with > 2 consecutive mutations per 1 allele, or in the cis position. The influence of complex alleles on the manifestations of CF has not been sufficiently studied globally due to the small number of studies.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the complex allele [S466X; R1070Q] on the phenotypic manifestations of CF and the effectiveness of targeted therapy in a model of intestinal organoids from a patient with [S466X; R1070Q]/CFTRdele2,3 genotype.

Methods. We used medical history data, intestinal current measurement, intestinal organoid method, and forskolin test.

Results. The progressive nature of the disease with a clear degradation of lung function was established. The ICM method showed absent chloride channel function. The tests on the culture of organoids obtained from the intestinal tissue indicated a complete loss of the chloride channel function. In addition, the complex allele [S466X; R1070Q] was insensitive to all targeted drugs tested.

Conclusion. The complex allele [S466X; R1070Q] causes a complete loss of the functional CFTR protein and is not sensitive to any of the approved targeted drugs.

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