The number of IL-27+ (figure 1 and table 3), IL-27R+, TSLPR+, NALP7 and STAT1 immunoreactive cells was increased in the epithelium of patients with severe stable COPD compared with control non-smokers (p=0.0048, p=0.017, p=0.008, p=0.054, p=0.011, respectively). Here, NLRP7 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.