In our previous studies, we used various bronchial epithelial and monocytic cell lines and primary cells that were representative as potential COPD airway and systemic in vitro models, and we suggested the involvement of two DAMP molecules, namely heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), in NLRP3 inflammasome activation [7, 8]. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.