These vesicles contribute to pathogenicity by preparing host epithelial tissues for colonization, displacing competing microbes at the infection site, and interfering with CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)-mediated chloride ion secretion in cystic fibrosis airways, which ultimately impairs mucociliary clearance and favors bacterial persistence in the lungs [256]. The gene discussed is CFTR; the disease is cystic fibrosis.