BANP is expressed in a range of organ tissues including respiratory epithelial cells [http://www.proteinatlas.org/] and has been shown to have a role in regulation of alternative splicing via a histone deactylase 6 (HDAC6)-mediated deactylation pathway [25, 26] (other HDACs, including HDAC6, have previously been implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung function [27, 28]). This evidence concerns the gene HDAC6 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.