Indeed, primary bronchial epithelial cells isolated from subjects with COPD show an impaired production of type I IFN (199), which has been implied in the enhanced susceptibility of COPD patients to respiratory infections; however, even in absence of high IFN induction, both an abnormally elevated loss of alveolar epithelial cells due to apoptosis as well as elevated TRAIL and DR5 levels were reported (200), implying a possible link between viral/bacterial induction of TRAIL and acute exacerbations in COPD. This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF10 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.