Moreover, immunolabeling scores of IFN-β and its main transcription factor (IRF-7) were reduced up to 65 % and 74 % respectively, in epithelial tissues and alveolar macrophages in COPD patients, when compared with non-COPD patients (Garcia-Valero et al., 2019[7]). Here, IFNB1 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.