Although no difference was observed regarding mRNA abundance (Fig S1), protein expression of E-cadherin was reduced in COPD versus NS in early and short-term ALI (Fig 2A), whereas that of occludin was decreased from early up to long-term cultures in Smo and COPD (Fig 2B) and inversely correlated with FEV1 up to mid-term (Fig 2C). This evidence concerns the gene CDH1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.