Metabolomics of airways disease in cystic fibrosis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Joshua Chandler, Emory University; Charles R Esther Jr, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-08-01
• Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2024 Elsevier B.V
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2022.102238
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Opinion in Pharmacology
• Volume: 65
• Start Page: 102238
• End Page: 102238
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors were supported by NHMRC Synergy Grant (APP 1183640). NHMRC was not involved in this report. CRE was supported by R01-HL136961-01S1 and P30-ES10126.
• Keywords: Metabolomics; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Biomarkers; Oxidative Stress
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

While discovery metabolomic studies have identified many potential biomarkers of cystic fibrosis (CF) airways disease, relatively few have been validated. We review the recent literature to identify the most promising metabolomic findings as those repeatedly observed over multiple studies. Reproducible metabolomic findings include increased airway amino acids and small peptides in CF airways, as well as changes in phospholipids and sphingolipids. Other commonly altered pathways include adenosine metabolism, polyamine synthesis, and oxidative stress. These pathways represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, though findings require reevaluation in the era of highly effective modulator therapies. Analysis of airway biomarkers in exhaled breath holds promise for non-invasive detection, though technical challenges will need to be overcome.