Together with the lower expression of FAM13A in COPD airway epithelium, our data suggest that cigarette smoking results in lower FAM13A expression in airway epithelial cells in COPD, subsequently leading to impaired epithelial barrier recovery and increased CXCL8 release, a key attractant of neutrophils. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.