When macrophages are deficient in gal-3 there is increased responses to LPS [35], reduced bacterial replication and increased expression of IL-1β, TLR2 and IL-6 [36], which are similar observations to those we have previously reported in patients with the neutrophilic subtype of asthma and COPD [25,37,38]. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.