However, the serum levels of PlGF were significantly higher in patients with COPD (27.1 (7.4) pg/ml than in the controls (smokers: 12.3 (5.1) pg/ml; non-smoker controls: 10.8 (6.3) pg/ml, p = 0.005). The gene discussed is PGF; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.