Dr. Boucher’s lab has focused on the normal physiology of airway surface liquids (ASL) and how this system fails in airways diseases, e.g., cystic fibrosis and COPD. The lab pursues a variety of investigations into the functions of airway epithelia in health and disease. In general terms, the lab focuses on five interrelated areas of research:
1.Airway Surface Liquid (ASL) physiology in health and how it fails in major airways diseases, e.g. the “dehydration hypothesis as relates to CF” (Figure 1).
2.Airway epithelial Na+ transport, including studies of normal regulation of airway epithelial Na+ transport, and role of Na+ transport in airways disease, including mouse models over-expressing subunits of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) (Figures 2, 3).
3.Extracellular nucleotides and their role in airways homeostasis, including the role of P2 receptors in airway epithelial function, extracellular nucleotidases; and measuring the rates of metabolism of nucleotides and nucleotide release from cells.
4.Gene therapy for CF lung disease, particularly focusing on investigations of barriers to gene transfer, and improved vector targeting.
5.Clinical studies: a current area of interest focuses on Na+ channel blockers and hypertonic saline (Figures 4-6).