The production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and NO by peripheral blood mononuclear cells that are elevated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and associated with impaired lung function, also was inhibited by α7 nAChR agonists, supporting the therapeutic potential of α7 nAChR agonists in COPD [12]. The gene discussed is CHRNA7; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.