However, both AGTR1 and AGTR2 were expressed in bronchial biopsies and expression was decreased in COPD subjects compared with HV-ES controls with log2FC of − 0.26 (p = 0.033) and − 0.40 (p = 0.0010), respectively (Fig. 3d, e, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene AGTR2 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.