Nonetheless, the upregulated expression of CXCR3 and its ligands in a variety of diseases has been associated with several inflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, as well as hepatitis C infection in the liver, sarcoidosis, and SARS. This evidence concerns the gene CXCR3 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.