Dr. André Cantin

Department Of Medicine, Respiratory Division
University Of Sherbrooke

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF is caused by a mutation in the Cftr gene, resulting in defects in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) protein. CFTR is a chloride anion channel situated in the apical membranes of mucosal epithelium. CFTR acts in the control of salt, water, pH, and antioxidant levels in the mucus of airways. The loss of CFTR function results in dehydrated mucus, excessive acidification of the mucus, and increased viscosity. These changes create a marked host defence defect at the airway surface. CF affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system, and nearly all morbidity and mortality results from the chronic infection and tissue destruction occurring within the airways.

Dr. André Cantin, a long-time friend of the CF community in Canada, is researching the roles of lung inflammation, oxidants, and antioxidants in cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr. Cantin is investigating the role of pH regulation by sodium bicarbonate secretion in CF airways. Bicarbonate is essential in determining proper mucin rheology at the airway surface. He is studying the links between CFTR-related bicarbonate deficiency and airway host defences against bacterial pathogens. Dr. Cantin is also exploring how mucus can inhibit bacterial killing by white blood cells. He has previously shown that CF airway mucin inhibits neutrophil-mediated and lysozyme-mediated bacterial killing of invasive bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Burkholderia cepacia complex. Dr. Cantin is exploring how mucins from CF patients (compared to mucins from healthy volunteers) interact with normal host defences, such as white blood cells, in the presence of these bacteria. He is also determining whether antibacterial defences can be restored in individuals with CF in the presence of mucin treated with bicarbonate and antioxidants.

Additionally, Dr. Cantin is exploring if antioxidants can help increase the expression of CFTR during oxidant stress, inflammation and infection. He has determined that CFTR is particularly susceptible to oxidative suppression. This finding has immediate implications for all individuals with CF who have any residual CFTR function. Because of oxidative stress, infection and inflammation in their lungs, the residual CFTR function is likely not to be expressed in these individuals. Dr. Cantin will explore in vitro models of CFTR suppression by oxidants and the resulting effects of antioxidants on this suppression.

Dr. Cantin's ultimate goals are to address the most fundamental and important defects in CF lung disease and to develop new therapies that target these defects.

Dr. Cantin received his MD at the University of Sherbrooke in 1978, and trained in Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Sherbrooke from 1979 to 1982. He completed a fellowship at the Pulmonary Branch of the National Institutes of Health from 1982 to 1985. Dr. Cantin has been a member of the Pulmonology Division of the Department of Medicine at the University of Sherbrooke since 1985. He is currently a full professor, and served at the Director of the Pulmonology Division from 1992 to 1996. He was the chair of the Respiratory System grants committee at the Medical Research Council of Canada from 1998 - 2000. Past Chair of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee (M/SAC) and its Research Subcommittee, Dr. Cantin is the current M/SAC representative to the Adult CF Committee of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For further information, please contact Dr. André Cantin using the Email contact form or by phone at 819 821-7000