In this study we found a novel molecular mechanism that leads to IL-1α release from COPD-derived PBMCs, responsible for the induction and release of TGF-β, an immune suppressive and pro-fibrotic cytokine (André et al., 2015; Nigdelioglu et al., 2016; Terlizzi et al., 2018b). The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.