Differentially expressed genes, pathways, and networks were identified in the airway epithelium of affected horses (e.g., MMP1, IL8, TLR4, and MMP9; neutrophil chemotaxis, immune, and inflammatory responses; circadian rhythm dysregulation; and the sonic Hedgehog pathway) that were also found to contribute to human asthma. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is asthma.