When the COPD subjects were analysed separately, plasma suPAR related to hsCRP (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and endothelin (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and tended to be related to IL-6 (r = 0.40, p = 0.051). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.