Influenza• AECs are primary targets for viral replication Rosler and Herold (2016)• Pro-inflammatory mechanisms and cytopathogenic effect lead to AEC apoptosis Rosler and Herold (2016)• Viral clearance occurs through activation of immune effector cells, and epithelial repair processes including expansion of epithelial progenitor cells that reseal the epithelial layer Rosler and Herold (2016)• Supraphysiologic GM-CSF induces macrophage plasticity toward proinflammatory M1 type and is associated with reduced interferon signaling Halstead et al. (2018). This evidence concerns the gene CSF2 and influenza.