Disruption of transepithelial ion transport is involved in severe pulmonary phenotypes including impaired function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cigarette smoke‐induced chronic bronchitis (Clunes et al., 2012; Dransfield et al., 2013; O'Sullivan & Freedman, 2009). Here, CFTR is linked to cystic fibrosis.