In this regard, the increased levels of IL-6 observed in the induced sputum and lung tissue of patients with COPD [156,157] are in good agreement with the data on the reduction of the ABCA1 transport function in macrophages during smoking, as well as with the fact that IL-6 is known to activate STAT3 [158]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.