The induction of TNFα and IL-1β release in response to LPS stimulation was significantly higher in PBMCs from COPD patients (median (range): 17.88 ng/ml (9.003; 23.91) for TNFα and 1.528 ng/ml (1.173; 3.901) for IL-1β) compared to PBMCs from healthy individuals (median (range): 8.92 ng/ml (4.96; 11.5) for TNFα and 1.096 ng/ml (0.8440; 1.528) for IL-1β). This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.