To verify the inflammatory phenotype of these AM, we looked at their expression of TNFα, which was higher in smokers with [70 (2–100)%] and without COPD [72 (12–100)%] compared to non-smokers [11 (1–19)%, p = 0.0002 and p < 0.0001 respectively, Figures 2A, B]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.