Following RV infection, unlike room air-exposed mice, mice exposed to combination of cigarette smoke and heat-killed NTHi (mice with COPD phenotype) showed persistence of virus up to 4 days post infection, enhanced lung inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia, increased expression of mucin genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines similar to that observed in RV-infected COPD patients. The gene discussed is MUC5AC; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.