PRKAB1 and pulmonary emphysema: AMPK is a cellular metabolic sensor which is activated by an increase in the intracellular AMP/ATP ratio and other cellular stresses.31, 32 AMPK acts on a wide variety of substrates and coordinate multiple pathways involved with metabolism and inflammatory responses.33, 34 It has been shown that AMPK can activate Nrf2 by promoting Nrf2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation.11 We found that AMPK was de‐activated in mouse lungs with emphysema and CSE‐treated NHBE cells.