Release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in response to NTHI demonstrated statistically significant inhibition in MDMs from COPD-ES and COPD-S by both BUD and FP, although the effect of FP on IL-6 release in MDMs from COPD-ES only approached statistical significance (p = 0.07)(Fig 5). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.