The current study was designed to determine whether COPD is associated with increased numbers of Langerhans-type dendritic cells (defined by surface expression of CD1a, or the presence of transcripts for the Langerhans cell restricted gene CD207), or matured dendritic cells (defined by surface CD83 expression), utilizing human COPD lung tissue procured through the Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC). This evidence concerns the gene CD83 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.