Seven pathways were significantly enriched using the whole set of genes of the COPD expression module, while using only the interactors gave rise to 13 significantly enriched pathways, including Focal Adhesion, AGE-RAGE, VEGF signaling pathway, and Pathways in cancer (Figs. 3, 4, Additional file 6: Table S5). Here, VEGFA is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.