CS exposure of ALI‐PBEC enhanced ADAM17‐mediated shedding of the IL‐6 receptor (IL6R) and the EGFR agonist amphiregulin (AREG) toward the basolateral compartment, which was more pronounced in cells from COPD patients than in non‐COPD controls. This evidence concerns the gene ADAM17 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.