Scientists Discover How Immune Cells Affect Lung Healing After COVID-19
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai and other institutions have found a mechanism by which immune cells, specifically CD8+ T cells, impede the regeneration of the lungs’ defensive barrier following viral infections like COVID-19. This study, published in Nature, could lead to new treatments for lung scarring, a condition seen in long COVID patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how viral infections can have long-lasting consequences, known as protracted COVID. Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, has left many individuals incapacitated for extended periods. One severe symptom is lung scarring, which can cause significant breathing difficulties and may require oxygen supplementation or even a lung transplant.
Dr. Peter Chen, co-corresponding author of the study and interim chair of the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, stated, “This study sought to understand the pathways that led to abnormal repair in the lungs that produced a scar-forming environment. Our findings may lead to therapeutic strategies to prevent fibrotic lung disease after viral illnesses.”
Researchers used models of post-viral lung disease and molecular profiling to identify CD8+ T cells as a key factor in preventing lung healing. They validated these findings using patient cohorts with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary fibrosis.
Dr. Jie Sun, co-corresponding author and professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, added, “Although we based the work on post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary fibrosis, other viral pandemics in the past have also revealed the ability to cause lung scarring after infection–like swine flu. The research and broader medical field must be prepared and better understand how to prevent adverse outcomes stemming from these viruses.”
Chen and Sun believe these findings could provide new insights into the pathobiology of other forms of lung fibrosis, potentially leading to better prevention and treatment strategies.
Doubts Revealed
Immune Cells -: Immune cells are special cells in our body that help fight off infections and keep us healthy.
CD8+ T cells -: CD8+ T cells are a type of immune cell that helps kill virus-infected cells in our body.
Cedars-Sinai -: Cedars-Sinai is a big hospital and research center in the United States where doctors and scientists work to find new ways to treat diseases.
Nature -: Nature is a famous science magazine where scientists publish their important discoveries.
Lung Scarring -: Lung scarring, also called fibrosis, is when the lungs get damaged and form thick, stiff tissue, making it hard to breathe.
Long COVID -: Long COVID is when people continue to have symptoms like tiredness and breathing problems for a long time after recovering from COVID-19.
Swine Flu -: Swine flu is a type of flu caused by a virus that originally came from pigs but can also infect humans.
Lung Fibrosis -: Lung fibrosis is a condition where the lungs become scarred and stiff, making it difficult to breathe.
