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

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