As CF cells showed increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at baseline compared to non-CF cells, treatment of CF cells with antioxidants prior to P. aeruginosa infection helped to restore the IFN response, and it was observed that while RV infection alone acted through PI-3 kinase to induce Akt phosphorylation, this was prevented by pre-infection of CF airway cells with P. aeruginosa. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and cystic fibrosis.