Thus, it is possible that GFP-PAO1 adheres more to increased aGM1 binding sites on the CF cells (which apparently signal for inflammatory mediators) but may adhere less at other sites, perhaps at CFTR itself, making it appear that adherence has little relation to cytokine response when in fact a only a subset of pseudomonas receptors is responsible for the increased response. Here, SMOX is linked to cystic fibrosis.