We found higher mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), C–C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), (interleukin-8) IL-8 and adrenomedullin (ADM) in patients with COPD and CHF (all p < 0.05), indicating increased inflammation in these diseases (supplementary Fig. 1). Here, CCR5 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.