Of the COPD-specific genes we studied, CEACAM1, COL6A3, NOL3, COL1A2, MLPH, MUC1, P8, UNQ473, CLDN4, RNASE1, H19, DEFA1 and LOC653600 were upregulated more than tenfold, mainly related to nuclear proteins, collagens or molecular structure. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL17 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.