PD-1 regulates CD4 + T cell-mediated CD8 + T cell responses in the brain to balance viral control and neuroinflammation

Nature Communications, Published online: 17 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-76762-3 JC polyomavirus infection can result in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and T cells have been shown to express PD-1. Here the authors show that PD-1 regulates the CD4+ T cell mediated CD8+ T cell response in the brain regulating the antiviral response and neuroinflammation in a mouse polyomavirus central nervous system infection model.