IL1B and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The presented data correspond to the concept of macrophage heterogeneity in COPD, according to which proinflammatory M1 and “alternatively activated” (anti-inflammatory, reparative) M2 macrophages producing proinflammatory (including TNF, IL-1ß, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (e.g., IL-10) cytokines, respectively, are found in the focus of persistent inflammation at the same time [6,167].