Evaluation of the response to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor of the rare CFTR variants L383S, I507del, L1065P and R1066H in intestinal organoid-derived epithelial monolayers

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutation of the CFTR gene, encoding an epithelial anion channel. Here we evaluated the effect of the modulator combination elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) on the function of four rare, poorly characterized CFTR variants: L383S, I507del, L1065P and R1066H.

Methods: Intestinal organoids were obtained from subjects carrying the CFTR variants L383S, I507del, L1065P or R1066H in trans of a minimal function allele (class I mutation). Organoids and epithelial monolayers were used to assess the effect of ETI on CFTR protein abundance and CFTR-mediated chloride, bicarbonate, and fluid transport.

Results: In L383S-CFTR expressing cells, normal levels of fully glycosylated CFTR protein (C-band) were detected. In contrast, in I507del, L1065P or R1066H organoids, only partially glycosylated CFTR (B-band) was detected. Chloride/bicarbonate transport was severely impaired in epithelial monolayers prepared from these latter three variants, while anion transport of the L383S variant was affected to a moderate extent. ETI, but not ivacaftor alone, significantly enhanced CFTR-mediated chloride and bicarbonate transport in L1065P and R1066H monolayers, and stimulated fluid transport. A corresponding increase in the abundance of C-band protein was observed in both variants. ETI also modestly improved L383S-CFTR function, with a marginal effect on I507del-CFTR.

Conclusions: The I507del, L1065P and R1066H variants display severely impaired function. ETI treatment markedly enhanced L1065P- and R1066HCFTR function, whereas its effect on L383S- CFTR was less pronounced. Consequently, ETI may ameliorate disease symptoms in individuals carrying the L1065P or R1066H variant. More tentative, it may also benefit those carrying the L383S variant.