AGER and pulmonary emphysema: While we did not observe differential expression of genes at GWAS loci, we noted that the top differentially expressed gene, HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1), has been identified as an important interacting partner of AGER (advanced glycosylation end product specific receptor)37, a gene implicated by GWAS for emphysema susceptibility38, 39, 40.