Our data revealed that IRF1, IRF2, IRF8,and STAT2 transcription factor activity were significantly increased in the mild CF group (mean activation z-score for mild CF 2.5, mean activation z-score for severe CF -2.3; P < 0.05; Fig 4B) with elevated transcript levels of their regulated genes. The gene discussed is IRF8; the disease is cystic fibrosis.