Despite the effectiveness of CFTR pharmacological modulators, bacterial infections persist in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) that induce a continuous state of inflammation. This situation is more marked in patients who carry insensitive mutations in correctors and potentiators. The project is based on the hypothesis that inflammation is the basis of a vicious circle that worsens the consequences of the loss of function of CFTR, generating a dehydrated and hyperviscose state of airway surface. This hypothesis is supported by preliminary results obtained by the research team and with this project they want to study the mechanisms by which inflammation alters epithelial processes and identify cellular targets useful for drug treatment. Experiments will be carried out on epithelial cells of person with CF and control subjects for the in vitro generation of epithelia on which they will perform experiments to measure the activity of CFTR and other proteins involved in ion transport, as well as to evaluate the properties (degree of hydration, viscosity) of the surface of the epithelia. The project could generate important results for the identification of alternative targets to CFTR whose pharmacological modulation could correct the negative effects that inflammation has on the properties of the surface of the epithelia.