Compared with smokers, 18 hub genes were identified in COPD patients, including GFM1, HSPBP1, MRPL15, RPL36, GNB2L1, RPL13, UBA52, CARS, EEF1G, RPL23A, RPS16, HSP90AA1, RPL32, RPS9, RPL13A, EIF5A, ETF1, and PSMA7 (Fig. 1B). Here, EEF1G is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.