A previous study have reported that the expression and secretion of MMP-12 can be regulated by IL-1β and TNF-α in human airway smooth muscle cells, and thereby participated in diseases of the airway, such as chronic asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) (Xie et al., 2005). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.