IL26 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Given the fact that Th17 cells exert an antibacterial effect in pulmonary tissue, participating in the accumulation of macrophages and neutrophils during the inflammatory process [35], and as IL-26 involvement has been associated with antibacterial responses in the airways, the evaluation of the role of IL-26 in the evolution and persistence of inflammatory activity in various disorders such as COPD makes it of considerable interest to researchers [36].