To investigate this hypothesis, we determined whether peripheral blood CD28null T cells and NKT-like cells (particularly CD8+) from COPD patients express reduced levels of Hsp70 and Hsp90 and whether loss of these molecular chaperones is associated with a lack of suppression of cytotoxic mediators or pro-inflammatory cytokines produced in response to steroid treatment. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.