DNA fragmentation is a feature of cystic fibrosis epithelial cells: a disease with inappropriate apoptosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a single-gene disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, which result in disrupted chloride secretions with inspissated mucous secretions by exocrine glands. Nick-end labelling was used to assess DNA fragmentation in 14 CF and 24 control duodenal samples, and in two CF and two control lung tissues. In CF small intestine median 46% (range: 30–82) villus enterocytes show DNA fragmentation (vs. 3% (range: 1–7) in controls P