Patients with COPD, both stable and exacerbated, exhibit increased NETs in induced sputum17,18 that correlate with airflow limitation severity and microbiota diversity.19–21 However, the relationship between NETs components, NF-κB-dependent cytokines, and type-I IFNs in BALF of COPD patients remains unexplored. This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.