Pulmonary CD8⁺ T Cells in Viral Infection and Cancer: Research Progress on Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities
ZHENG Yuye#, DUAN Siqi#, ZHOU Peipei*
As the frontline barrier of host immune defense, the lung maintains immune homeostasis and protects against external invasion through the coordinated actions of innate and adaptive immunity. Among adaptive immune cells, CD8⁺ T cells serve as central effector cells, playing pivotal roles in both antiviral and antitumor im mune responses within the pulmonary environment. During acute viral infection, CD8⁺ T cells eliminate pathogens and establish long-term protection through cytotoxic activity, cytokine secretion, and memory formation. In con trast, under chronic infection or within the tumor microenvironment, persistent antigen stimulation and metabolic constraints drive CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion, characterized by impaired effector functions and elevated expression of inhibitory receptors. Recent advances in metabolic reprogramming, immune checkpoint signaling, and epigenetic regulation have expanded this team’s understanding of the multilayered regulatory networks governing CD8⁺ T cell fate and functionality. With this team’s relevant studies, this review systematically summarizes the functional characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of pulmonary CD8⁺ T cells in antiviral and antitumor immunity, and dis cusses their therapeutic potential and future research directions in immunotherapy.
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