Importantly, restoring SOCS5 expression in bronchial epithelial cells from COPD patients reduced viral entry, suggesting that targeting SOCS5 and/or its interacting partners may be valid intervention strategies to alleviate the severe pathology associated with influenza virus infection in COPD patients, immunocompromised individuals or infection with highly pathogenic influenza strains. The gene discussed is SOCS5; the disease is influenza.