Blocking Cell Death Protein Reduces COPD-associated Inflammation, Lung Damage

Article title: Blockade of PD-1 decreases neutrophilic inflammation and lung damage in experimental COPD

Authors Felix Ritzmann, Kai Borchardt, Giovanna Vella, Praneeth Chitirala, Adrian Angenendt, Christian Herr, Michael D. Menger, Markus Hoth, Annette Lis, Rainer M Bohle, Robert Bals, Christoph Beisswenger

From the authors: “Our data indicate that the [programmed cell death protein 1] (PD-1) /[programmed cell death ligand 1] (PD-L1) axis is involved in developing inflammation and tissue destruction in COPD. Inflammation-induced activation of the PD-1 pathway may contribute to disease progression.”

This study is highlighted as one of May’s “best of the best” as part of the American Physiological Society’s APSselect program.