Interestingly, the mRNA expression of NRF1 and PGC‐1α (the master gene of mitochondrial biogenesis) was significantly higher in COPD fibroblasts compared with controls at nonsenescent passage, although this difference was less pronounced at senescent passage for PGC‐1α (Figure 5c,b). Here, NRF1 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.