Recent research conducted by a group of researchers from China found that cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is a key-contributing factor in the exacerbation of COPD. CIRP is a stress-response protein that acts as an RNA chaperone, modifying the stability of its targeted mRNA. The new study also found that extracellular CIRP (eCIRP) CIRP could promote acute lung injury (ALI) via activation of macrophages, neutrophils, pneumocytes and lung vascular endothelial cells. The team of researchers also added that CIRP promotes the expression of inflammatory genes and hypersecretion of airway mucus in the bronchial epithelial cells, thus significantly contributing to exacerbations in COPD patients.