An increase in CD8+ and a decrease in CD4+ T cells in COPD compared with control group (CD8: COPD 75.0% of CD3+ T cells (52–78) and control 48.4% of CD3+ T cells (27–66)) was noted but no changes in any other lymphocyte subsets between groups (p > 0.05 for all). Here, CD8A is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.