Question

what is cystic fibrosis? @Health Sciences

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease that is characterized by a mutation in the CFTR gene that produces the CFTR channel in epithelial tissues that secrete mucous (such as the lungs and pancreas). Because CFTR helps regulate the composition of mucous, when it becomes defective, secreted mucous becomes thick, trapping bacteria and other foreign materials in the lungs and leading to recurrent respiratory infections. The thick mucous also blocks the pancreatic ducts that move pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine for digestion, so often people with cystic fibrosis will need to consume these enzymes in order to properly digest their food.

Answer 2

What other methods of treatment are available apart from gene therapy?

Answer 3

Haha well gene therapy is a pretty drastic treatment (though effective and permanent). To my knowledge, any other "treatment" is really more to manage the symptoms than to act as an actual cure (e.g. breathing with an aid or ingesting digestive enzymes). Because cystic fibrosis is a genetic problem, fixing the bad gene with gene therapy would be ideal.

Answer 4

Thax for the data by the do you know any thing on Graves disease which is an auto immune disease?

Answer 5

Grave's disease occurs when the body produces antibodies against the thyroid gland. These antibodies activate a receptor on the thyroid normally activated by thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary. TSH stimulation activates the thyroid, causing it to produce thyroid hormones that play important roles in growth and development. Therefore, the thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism) when constantly stimulated by the antibodies that mimic TSH action. You can find more information about symptoms etc if you google it. Hope that helps