TNF and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An increase in expression of many of these mediators translates to activation of an inflammatory cascade involving cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, enzymes, receptors, and adhesion molecules [1-4]; specific to COPD are increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interferon-γ(IFNγ), interleukin-8(IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein 1α(MIP-1α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), GROα, and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 [1-4].