In COPD-affected lungs, we found more pronounced findings of IL-4, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and TGF-β1 immunoreactive cells among all examined tissues and bronchial compartments, whereas mostly low numbers were found of IL-6, Hsp-70 and hBD-4 immunoreactive cells. Here, IL7 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.