CCL20 mRNA expression in human lung as well as CCL20 protein level in induced sputum are significantly increased in patients with COPD (10 GOLD I patients, mean age 60.8 years, 8 males, FEV1% 86.6; 16 GOLD II patients, mean age 66.6 years, 15 males, FEV1% 65.9; 10 GOLD III-IV patients, mean age 61.8 years, 6 males, FEV1% 39.3) compared with never-smokers (10 subjects, mean age 51.9 years, 4 males, FEV1% 98.6) and smokers without COPD (9 subjects, mean age 59.6 years, 7 males, FEV1% 102.5) (50). The gene discussed is CCL20; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.