DISTEAROYL PHOSPHATIDYLGLYCEROL LIPOSOMES IMPROVE SURFACE AND TRANSPORT-PROPERTIES OF CF MUCUS

We have previously shown that a decreased level of phosphatidylglycero l in cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory mucus is partly responsible for its marked adhesiveness and stickiness, which impair mucus transport, and that distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DSPG) was the most efficient form of phosphatidylglycerol in the enhancement of respiratory mucus clearance. The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of distearoy l phosphatidylglycerol liposomes on the transport by cough and cilia o f cystic fibrosis respiratory mucus. The surface and transport propert ies of mucus were measured: 1) on native cystic fibrosis mucus; 2) on cystic fibrosis mucus complemented with DSPG liposomes at a non-cytoto xic concentration; and 3) on cystic fibrosis mucus complemented with w ater The work of adhesion of cystic fibrosis mucus was significantly d ecreased by DSPG liposomes, but not by water. For mucociliary transpor t, the cystic fibrosis mucus was transported at a higher rate with DSP G liposomes and water compared to native cystic fibrosis mucus. The co ugh clearance of cystic fibrosis respiratory mucus was significantly i mproved in the presence of DSPG and water, but the effect was more pro nounced with DSPG liposomes than with water We conclude that the use o f DSPG liposomes as a lubricating agent proves to be an interesting th erapeutic approach for improving the cough and mucociliary transport i n cystic fibrosis patients.