Indeed, oxidative stress in the airways of COPD patients has been shown to modify the effects of MBL, leading not only to a loss of function but, even more important, to an inhibitory effect on the phagocytosis of microorganisms and on the efferocytosis of apoptotic bronchial epithelial cells by human alveolar macrophages [30]. The gene discussed is MBL2; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.