Prospects for prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis: Induction of biochemical abnormalities in fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis by a urinary glycoprotein

Alkaline phosphatase activity, assayed on a per cell basis with an ultra micro-method, can be increased up to 7-fold in fibroblast cultures derived from patients with cystic fibrosis by induction with a urinary glycoprotein. Fibroblasts from normal and heterozygous individuals are not significantly induced. There is a suggestion of heterogeneity among cases as reflected in varying baseline alkaline phosphatase and α-glucosidase levels.