CFTR and cystic fibrosis: In CF patients, P. aeruginosa LPS can be recognized by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), mediating the activation of an inflammatory response via nuclear translocation of NF-κB [42], and can promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human bronchial epithelial cells together with the secreted protein PA 3611.