Specifically, p38α is vital in mediating inflammatory responses, notably in conditions such as psoriasis, while p38β has also been implicated in various inflammatory diseases, (Johansen et al., 2005), including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), steatohepatitis (Zhang and Reynolds, 2019; Otsuka et al., 2010; Liang et al., 2013), asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The gene discussed is MAPK11; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.