NFE2L2 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Prolonged exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke leads to a sustained increase in oxidative stress in the lungs of COPD patients, which in turn inhibits the function of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and weakens the body’s antioxidant defences, leading to further damage to alveolar structure, increased airway remodelling, and inflammatory responses, thus driving the pathological progression of the disease [7].