Although we have studied the impact of IL-1RI blockade in HRV responses of epithelial cells without assessing the impact on other structural or tissue-associated cells in the lung, our data could suggest that in the context of a virally-triggered exacerbation of COPD, blocking IL-1 signaling may translate into a decreased inflammatory response, e.g. lung neutrophilia, with limited effect on the induction of anti-viral mediators downstream of the IFN pathway and the recruitment of effectors involved in the adaptive immune response such as CD8 T cells. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.