In comparison with patients having COPD alone, those with BE-FAO exhibited significantly elevated levels of BAL neutrophils and increased concentrations of neutrophilic inflammatory cytokines: Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), as detailed in Table 2. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.