COPD had higher IL-6 and TNFα levels than IPF (p<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively) and HS (p<0.0001 and p<0.001 respectively) and higher IL-8 and MMP-9 than HS (p<0.0001 and p<0.001 respectively). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.