In patients with COPD, TNC was increased in AT2A cells (defined as expressing SFTPC, ERBB4, TNIK, TCF12, FOXP1, STAT3, YAP, and TEAD1 [23]) and peribronchial vascular endothelial cells compared to control lungs (Figure 5A,C). This evidence concerns the gene TNIK and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.