Bente Aalbers

Dr. Bente Aalbers


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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BABente Aalbers
Bente Aalbers
GAGimano D. Amatngalim
Gimano D. Amatngalim
EAEllen Maria Aarts
Ellen Maria Aarts
LRLisa Rodenburg
Lisa Rodenburg
LHLoes A. Den Hertog-Oosterhoff
Loes A. Den Hertog-Oosterhoff
JBJeffrey M. Beekman
Jeffrey M. Beekman
Background/Objectives: Individual responses to CFTR modulators vary widely among people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), underscoring the need for functional approaches that provide biological context alongside genotype-based therapy selection. Nasal epithelial cultures provide an individual-specific model for theratyping, but most studies rely on freshly isolated cells, restricting repeated testing and long-term sample use. In this study, we tested whether CFTR modulator responses measured in biobanked nasal cells were associated with real-world clinical outcomes. Methods: Cryopreserved nasal epithelial cells from 23 pwCF were differentiated at the air–liquid interface and assessed for CFTR modulator-responsive ion transport using Ussing chambers. In vitro responses were correlated with 6-month changes in sweat chloride concentration (SCC), FEV1, and BMI. Results: Cryopreserved cultures retained donor-specific CFTR modulator responsiveness. Modulator-induced forskolin/IBMX-stimulated currents correlated with changes in SCC (R = −0.512). CFTR inhibitor-sensitive currents correlated with FEV1 (R = 0.564). Associations between forskolin/IBMX-stimulated currents and FEV1 were positive but did not reach statistical significance using two-tailed analysis. BMI changes showed no significant association. Conclusions: Biobanked nasal epithelial cultures preserve clinically relevant CFTR modulator responses at the cohort level, supporting their use as functional assays for population-level assessment in cystic fibrosis. This cryopreservation-based strategy enables repeated testing and may expand access to theratyping beyond freshly obtained samples.