Toxic effects observed in vivo include but are not limited to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cells in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL), MUC5AC (the predominant mucin glycoprotein produced by respiratory epithelium that normally protects against infection but when over-expressed is associated with respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD) production, and oxidative stress markers. The gene discussed is MUC5AC; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.