Moreover, the study revealed smoking‐associated differences for Furin, HSPA5, ADAM17, BSG, ITGA5, and ITGB6 within non‐COPD controls, with lower airway epithelial expression (except for Furin) in ever‐smokers than in never‐smokers. The gene discussed is ITGB6; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.