Rho kinase may also be involved in eotaxin and cytokine (IL-5, IL-13) production [66] and in secretion of matrix metalloproteinase – 9 (MMP-9), tightly associated with fibrosis in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [67, 68]. This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.