The findings suggest that NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and visfatin have a proinflammatory role in the pathogenesis of emphysematous COPD, but further studies are needed to evaluate if adipokines could be used as biomarkers for phenotyping or subgrouping patients with COPD or as anti-inflammatory drug targets. Here, NUCB2 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.