Subsequently, functional analysis showed that overexpressed miR-218-5p notably suppressed cell apoptosis and the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, indicating the protective effects of miR-218-5p on CSE-induced HPMECs apoptosis and inflammation in COPD, which was consistent with the previous researches. Here, TNF is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.