TABLE 1

Top 10 upregulated and downregulated genes in B-HBECs (P5) compared to N-HBECs (P2) ranked firstly on q-value then by fold change (q<0.01 for all)

Gene	Direction/fold change	Description
*GUSBP2*	+52	Pseudogene.
*HAS2*	+42	Hyaluronan synthase 2. Hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid is a constituent of the extracellular matrix. It serves a variety of functions, including space filling, lubrication of joints and provision of a matrix through which cells can migrate.
*THY1*	+16	Thy-1 cell surface antigen. The encoded protein is involved in cell adhesion and cell communication in numerous cell types, but particularly in cells of the immune and nervous systems.
*DENND2A*	+15	DENN domain containing 2A. Guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which may activate RAB9A and RAB9B. Promotes the exchange of GDP to GTP, converting inactive GDP-bound Rab proteins into their active GTP-bound form.
*TOX2*	+12	TOX high mobility group box family member 2. Gene Ontology annotations related to this gene include chromatin binding and RNA polymerase II transcription factor binding.
*CSF3*	+10	Colony stimulating factor 3. The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation and function of granulocytes.
*CPNE7*	+9	Copine 7. Calcium-dependent membrane-binding proteins.
*ATP1A3*	+9	ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit α3. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the family of p-type cation transport ATPases, and to the subfamily of Na+/K+ -ATPases.
*BCL2A1*	+8	BCL2 Related protein A1. This gene encodes a member of the BCL-2 protein family. The proteins of this family form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- and proapoptotic regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities such as embryonic development, homeostasis and tumourigenesis.
*KIAA1644*	+7	Unknown function.
*COX7A1*	-Infinite	Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 7A1. Cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, catalyses the electron transfer from reduced cytochrome c to oxygen.
*HEATR6*	−70	Diseases associated with HEATR6 include breast cancer.
*SPINK7*	−44	Serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 7. Probable serine protease inhibitor.
*ATP12A*	−43	ATPase H+/K+ transporting nongastric α2 subunit. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the family of P-type cation transport ATPases.
*PROSP*	−32	Pseudogene.
*MUC15*	−29	Mucin 15. Cell surface Associated. May play a role in the cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix.
*SPRR3*	−14	Small proline rich protein 3. Among its related pathways are keratinisation and developmental biology.
*CALB1*	−14	Calbindin 1. This protein is thought to buffer entry of calcium upon stimulation of glutamate receptors.
*SBSN*	−13	Suprabasin. Diseases associated with SBSN include adenoid cystic carcinoma.
*KRT13*	−12	Keratin 13. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins.

N-HBEC: normal human bronchial epithelial cell; B-HBEC: BMI-1-expressing human bronchial epithelial cells.