The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) chloride channel mediates hydration of the airway epithelium and loss-of-function mutations in CFTR lead to cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease characterized by bronchiectasis, mucus plugging, and persistent bacterial infections that induce a chronic inflammatory state1. Here, CFTR is linked to cystic fibrosis.