Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common life-shortening inherited disorders. Previous research, some of which was conducted at the University of Iowa, found that mutations in the gene CFTR cause CF. The protein encoded by this gene forms apical membrane chloride and bicarbonate channels in human airway epithelia. Building off of this research, Tayyab Rehman, MD, clinical assistant professor in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine, and colleagues published a new article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation titled, “Inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-17 enhance the efficacy of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators.”