Studies show new studies that may explain severe viral attacks on the lungs

A new study by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden explains how different types of immune cells, called macrophages, develop in the lungs and which are behind severe lung disease.

Published in immunology, this study may contribute to the future treatment of COVID-19, among other diseases.

The structure of the lungs exposes them Virus Bacteria from both air and blood. Macrophages are, among other things, immune cells that protect the lungs from such attacks. However, under certain conditions, lung macrophages can also contribute to severe lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COVID-19.

To date, research on the development of human lung macrophages has been limited.

Macrophages can originate from white blood cells, monocytes, which have a variety of origins and are, among other things, divided into a variety of genetically determined major types. In humans, two of these are “classical” CD14 + monocytes and “non-classical” CD16 + monocytes.

In a new study at the Karolinska Institute, researchers used a model to study the development of lung macrophages directly in the living lungs. It was combined with a method of studying the genetic activity of individual cells, the RNA sequence, to discover how blood monocytes become human lung macrophages. Our study shows that classical monocytes migrate to the airways and lung tissue and are converted to macrophages, a special type of monocyte that protects lung health and function, HLA-DRhi. Has been identified. These are intermediate immune cells between blood monocytes and airway macrophages. These HLA-DRhi monocytes leave the blood circulation and migrate to lung tissue, “said Tim Willinger, an associate professor at the Karolinska Institute’s School of Medicine, Hudinge.

However, non-classical monocytes develop into macrophages in many blood vessels of the lung and do not migrate to lung tissue.

“Specific lung macrophages are probably associated with many serious lung diseases. For example, in respiratory infections, lung monocytes develop into macrophages and fight against them. Virus And bacteria. However, certain types of macrophages can also contribute to severe inflammation and infections, “said Elsa Ebren, a PhD student on Tim Willinger’s research team, the lead author of the study. I will.

In infection with the new coronavirus SARS-COV-2, which causes COVID-19, researchers believe that protective, anti-inflammatory macrophages replace pro-inflammatory pulmonary macrophages from blood monocytes.

“Other studies have shown that the presence of these blood monocyte-derived macrophages correlates with how severe COVID-19 is in humans and how widespread lung damage is. -19 patients also have low HLA-DRhi monocytes in the blood probably move from the blood to the lungs. Given their important role in the rapid inflammatory response, future treatments include inflammatory macrophages and monocytes. Focusing on, it shows that lung damage and mortality from severe COVID need to be reduced. 19 “says Tim Willinger.

(Only the headlines and photos in this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff. The rest of the content is automatically generated from the syndicate feed.)

Dear reader,

Business Standards has always worked hard to provide you with up-to-date information and commentary on developments that interest you and have a wide range of political and economic impacts on your country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offerings only strengthened our determination and commitment to these ideals. Even during these difficult times resulting from Covid-19, we keep you up to date with credible news, authoritative views, and keen commentary on issues of relevant topics. I will continue to promise to keep it.
However, there is a request.

We need more support to continue to provide higher quality content as we fight the economic impact of the pandemic. Our subscription model has seen encouraging reactions from many who subscribe to our online content. More subscriptions to our online content will only help you reach your goal of providing you with better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and reliable journalism. Your support through more subscriptions will help us practice the journalism we are committed to.

Supporting high quality journalism, Subscribe to business standards..

Digital editor