ANG and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Bronchial inflammation in asthma and COPD can stimulate secretion of angiogenin and VEGF.27,28 VEGF concentrations in bronchial secretions can rise even in asymptomatic smokers.36 Almost all of the patients in this study were current or former smokers and 60.9% had diagnosis of COPD that could contribute especially to higher VEGF concentrations.