Genetic and chemical correction of cystic fibrosis reduces airway susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: S. Rollins, A. Hume, D. W. Chen, Rebecca Yeboah, Pushpinder Bawa, Chantelle Simone-Roach, Jianing Yin, Alice Little, A. Fatima, Hiroaki Murano, Luciana P. Tavares, Kenichi Okuda
+5 more Jessie Huang, Darrell N. Kotton, Mohsan Saeed, Elke Mühlberger, Ruobing Wang
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00223.2025
Cited by: 2
References: 79

Abstract

Using rigorously controlled iPSC-derived airway models, the study shows that CFTR-deficient cells are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 and display stronger inflammation than syngeneic CFTR-corrected controls. The CFTR modulator ETI reduces viral injury and boosts antiviral pathways in both CF and non-CF cells. Even at baseline, CFTR modulation enhances antiviral responses and lowers inflammation. Overall, the findings reveal a broad protective antiviral effect of CFTR modulators and highlight their therapeutic promise in inflammatory lung disease.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances Respiratory viral infections research Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
4
Pages
L344–L367
Publication date
20 January 2026
Language
EN