Many of the cytokines such as IL-6 and other interleukins (IL) and interferons, critical orchestrators of persistent inflammatory states, including COPD, activate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, which activates the transcription of downstream genes mediating the diverse effects of STAT3 in development and disease (37, 38). The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.