- Production of autoantibodies, particularly ANA, which may increase with COPD progression, potentially predisposing to SLE [72]- Smoking is a common risk factor exacerbating both conditions [68].- Lung involvement in SLE can manifest as pleuritis, pulmonary hypertension, and infections that complicate COPD [65,66]. This evidence concerns the gene BTG3 and pulmonary hypertension.