In conjunction with reported protection to induction of inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of asthma and development of emphysema and ongoing inflammation in a model of COPD by intraperitoneal injection of recombinant TRX [44,45], further investigations towards the possible therapeutic potential of TRX in silicosis and diseases characterized by inflammasome activation in general are warranted. The gene discussed is TXN; the disease is asthma.