Research has demonstrated that overexpression of SNX1 can decrease the amount of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) on the cell surface (44), thereby inhibiting EGFR activation and supporting the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier (45), even though no in vivo or in vitro experiments have yet established a direct link between SNX1 and COPD. Here, EGFR is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.