Science (New York, N.Y.)

Macrophage cell structures help lung repair and reduce tissue damage after COVID-19

Updated

Abstract

Excessive interferon signaling remodels macrophage peroxisomes, leading to impaired inflammation resolution and lung repair during severe respiratory viral infections.

  • Loss of peroxisomes in macrophages is associated with impaired recovery from respiratory viral infections.
  • Peroxisomes play a role in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial health specific to different types of macrophages.
  • Peroxisomes enhance tissue repair and regeneration in the lungs following viral infections.
  • Dysfunctional peroxisomes may contribute to increased activation of inflammasomes and release of IL-1β in macrophages.
  • Enhancing peroxisome biogenesis pharmacologically could alleviate symptoms and consequences of COVID-19 in animal models.
  • Macrophage peroxisome dysfunction is linked to chronic lung issues and fibrosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

Funding

Competing interests

Competing interests: The University of Virginia has filed a patent application on the modulation of peroxisome function for treating acute and chronic conditions after viral injury. R.V. has received consulting fees from Rion LLC, Sanofi and Regeneron. R.V. holds stock options with Rion LLC and has licensed intellectual property with Rion Inc/Intent Biologics. All of these activities are unrelated to the content of this manuscript.
PubMed

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free