Role of PD-L1/PD-1 in the immune response to respiratory viral infections

Airway epithelial cells are the main cells infected by respiratory viruses including rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial virus. Virus modulation of inhibitory molecule PD-L1 on epithelial cells may be important in limiting anti-viral effector CD8+ T cell responses and, consequently, worsening acute virus-induced lung tissue damage.