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). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.