Together with the above observations and reports of neutrophil infiltration in COPD resulting in ICAM-1 upregulation in epithelial cells, we hypothesised that human neutrophil elastase might have an effect on ICAM-1 which in turn is released in the serum of patients as soluble ICAM (sICAM). The gene discussed is ELANE; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.