To investigate this hypothesis, we determined whether peripheral blood CD28null T cells (particularly CD8+) and NKT-like cells from COPD patients express reduced levels of GCR and/or increased Pgp-1 and whether loss of GCR (and/or increased Pgp-1) is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. This evidence concerns the gene NR3C1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.