Additionally, autophagy-related 7 (ATG7)-dependent autophagy is reported to have a significant role in murine host resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important respiratory track pathogen [46]. Similarly, during a pulmonary infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae in mice, autophagy restricts inflammasome activation, while mice deficient in autophagy demonstrate an increased mortality, highlighting the protective role of autophagy [47]. Immunity against viral infections in the airways is also regulated by autophagy. For example, autophagy deficiency promotes interleukin (IL)-17-mediated lung pathology in mice infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [48]. Furthermore, a recent study demonstrates that IL-22 inhibits RSV production by blocking the virus-mediated suppression of cellular autophagy [49]. Moreover, recent studies on Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus [50] provide proof-of-concept evidence on the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulating drugs for combating the SARS-COV2 infection, cytokine storm, and pathogenesis of severe ARDS-like COVID-19 fatal lung disease.