We have also reported previously that neutrophils are significantly increased in the sputum of these subjects with COPD,4,19 with strong correlations between sputum neutrophils and sputum neutrophil elastase, IL-1β, TNF, CXCL8/IL-8, pentraxin-3, and LL-37.19 The gene discussed is PTX3; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.