A cell-type-specific analysis of the presence of phospho-p38 MAPK in the lung tissue of COPD patients, smokers, and nonsmokers revealed elevated levels in bronchial epithelial cells, macrophages, and CD20+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in COPD lungs but not in sputum and lung tissue neutrophils. This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.