GR Defect in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in COPD

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with severe (stage III, Gold) to very severe (stage IV, GOLD) COPD or subjects who are healthy smokers or subjects who are non-smokers * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current upper respiratory tract infections * Any significant disease or disorder (e.g. cardiovascular, pulmonary (other than asthma), gastrointestinal, liver, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, metabolic, malignant, psychiatric, major physical impairment) which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the results of the study, or the subjects ability to participate in the study * Subjects not considered capable, as judged by the investigator, of following instructions of the study, e.g. because of a history of alcohol or drug abuse or any other reason