Our results highlight a novel activity for HHIP in airway remodeling and provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms by which HHIP may protect lung from airway remodeling and eventually lung function reduction during COPD pathogenesis, which may ultimately shed light on novel potential therapeutic approaches to limit airway remodeling in COPD pathogenesis. The gene discussed is HHIP; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.