On the other hand, NF-κB and c-jun activity in the nucleus increased with either BUD and FLU treatment compared with PA stimulation alone in smokers (both factors) and COPD not treated with ICS (for c-jun) groups, but not in the COPD + ICS subjects, which was consistent with the increase we observed in TLR2 expression. Here, NFKB1 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.