In fact, previous studies had reported upregulation of IL-1β and IL-18 in bronchoalveolar lavage from mouse models of COPD (Rovina et al., 2009; Sapey et al., 2009) as well as from COPD patients (Lappalainen et al., 2005; Lucattelli et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.