Further support for the role of miR-146a in the modulation of IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated CF macrophages was shown by the evidence that the inhibition of miR-146a leads to significant increases in IL-6 mRNA levels in the CF macrophages, as compared to the non-CF macrophages (Fig. 6, p = 0.045). Here, IL6 is linked to cystic fibrosis.