By comparing MALAT1 expression in the blood of 120 healthy subjects, 120 stable COPD patients, and 120 acute exacerbation COPD patients, Liu et al., observed higher expression of MALAT1 in acute exacerbation COPD patients compared to stable COPD patients and healthy subjects (Liu et al., 2020). Here, MALAT1 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.