More recently, it has been reported that the expression of total MLKL protein in epithelium and macrophages, and phosphorylated RIPK3 and phosphorylated MLKL in the lung tissue were increased in patients with severe COPD compared to those in non-smokers or smoker non-COPD controls [63]. The gene discussed is RIPK3; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.