In addition, data can be obtained at the immunopathological level (92), e.g., the accumulation and over-activation of neutrophils lead to the overproduction of mucus from the cupped cells, which in turn triggers an inflammatory response; fibroblasts secrete connective tissue growth factor, leading to emphysema; and CD8+ cells are associated with extracellular matrix degradation and subsequent tissue remodelling associated with emphysema (93–95). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is pulmonary emphysema.