In COPD subjects, the median fold change in IL-5 – 2.82, IL-9 – 1.96 and IFN-α – 2.25 was greater than IFN-γ – 1.19, IL-17 – 1.73 and TNF-α – 1.77 as compared to HNS. This evidence concerns the gene IL5 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.