Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fifth leading cause of death in the UK and is the only common cause of death that is increasing. COPD is currently 6th in the global impact of diseases and is predicted to by the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. In the UK for 2000-2001 the estimated cost of COPD related illness is estimated at ~£980 million of which pharmacotherapy accounts for 48% of expenditure. At present pharmacotherapy for COPD is purely symptomatic with no drugs currently available that can halt the relentless progression of this disease. Therefore, there is a need for improved therapy for the treatment of COPD. Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor in the development of COPD, yet for reasons unknown only ~15% of smokers develop this disease, suggesting there is an underlying genetic component.