The transcription factor Nrf2 regulates the expression of antioxidant genes which regulate oxidative stress, xenobiotic metabolism and excretion, inflammation, and apoptosis, and several experimental studies showed the key role of Nrf2 activation to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in animal models of pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, acute lung injury, and asthma [53]. Here, NFE2L2 is linked to pulmonary emphysema.