There have been reports of increased numbers of CD8+ T cells producing interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) pro-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood in the BAL and lungs from COPD ex-smoker and current-smoker COPD groups compared with healthy smokers and control groups, indicating the systemic pro-inflammatory nature of this disease [3] These changes were recorded regardless of whether patients were receiving inhaled corticosteroids, thus demonstrating a lack of effectiveness of current therapies at reducing these pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, CD8A is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.