This is intended to be an initial "proof-of-concept" study to show feasibility, validate assays and approaches, and explore dosing and safety of belimumab in pulmonary emphysema patients who have clinically relevant (and quantifiable) autoimmune responses. The primary goal is to determine effects of belimumab on levels of autoantibodies against glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) among patients with pulmonary emphysema attributable to cigarette smoking. The investigators hypothesize that belimumab treatment will safely reduce circulating levels of autoantibodies that are associated with emphysema, and comorbidities of this lung disease, including atherosclerosis.