Early inflammation in the airways of a cystic fibrosis foetus.

In cystic fibrosis patients, inflammation is often considered to be secondary to chronic infections. In the present study, we show increased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in the lungs of a cystic fibrosis foetus compared to the lungs of two normal foetuses. Our findings suggest therefore the existence of an early intrinsic pro-inflammatory state in cystic fibrosis airways.