Our present findings also lend some credence to the recently proposed dual axes pathophysiological basis of COPD, namely, airway-predominant and emphysema-predominant [24], especially with lnc-IL7R expression serving as a probable molecular bridge between the suppressed spirometric PFT indices (airway-predominant component) and increased CT imaging indices reflective of emphysema status and severity (emphysema-predominant). Here, IL7R is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.