image:Asst. Prof. Huanhuan Joyce Chen of Pritzker Molecular Engineering lead a new study showing that the type of macrophages present in a persons body might determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. view more
Credit: John Zich
When a virus makes its way into a persons body, one of the immune systems first responders is a set of pathogen-removal cells called macrophages. But macrophages are diverse; they dont all target viruses in the same way.
Researchers at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have discovered that the type of macrophages present in a persons body might determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. Their study has been published inNature Communications.
Clinicians know that COVID-19 can cause a spectrum of disease severity from mild to severe symptoms. Why some people, and not others, develop very severe disease has been a mystery, said Asst. Prof.Huanhuan Joyce Chen, who led the research with Qizhou Lian of the University of Hong Kong.This is the first time anyone has linked the variation in symptoms to macrophages.
A better model for COVID-19 infectionStudying the cellular and molecular effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been challenging for researchers who usually turn to model organisms to mimic human diseases; mice, rats, and many other animals dont develop the same COVID-19 symptoms as people. Thats why, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Chens group harnessed human stem cells to study the virus.
As reported previously in Nature, Chen and her colleagues grew stem cells into functioning mini-lungs and colonscalled lung and colon organoidsto probe the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on those organs and screen drugs to treat the virus.
In the new study, the researchers first analyzed lung biopsies from COVID-19 patients and discovered that they had especially high levels of macrophages. To better understand the role of macrophages during a COVID-19 infection, Chens team developed an approach that could exploit the same line of human stem cells to become both lung cells and macrophages simultaneously. The fact that they arose from the same initial stem cells was important to prevent the immune cells from attacking the lung cells.
This model system provides a perfect way to decode, step by step, how these three componentsthe immune system, the lungs, and the virusinteract, said Chen.
A cascade of inflammationWhen Chens lab infected the stem cell-derived lungs and macrophages with SARS-CoV-2, they found that not all macrophages responded in the same way. One subset, dubbed M2 macrophages, eliminate the virus by physically engulfing virus and virus-infected cells in a process known as phagocytosis, while releasing anti-inflammatory molecules.
M1 macrophages behaved in an opposite way: these cells released a plethora of inflammatory chemical signals that not only fight SARS-CoV-2, but cause a more widespread immune response. These same inflammatory factors have been shown to be present in the blood of people with severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Our results suggest that people who already have M1 macrophages activated in the lungs when infected with COVID-19 might be more likely to develop very severe inflammation from the virus, said Chen.
Elderly people and those with certain conditions like hypertension or diabetesalready known to be prone to more severe COVID-19 symptomsmay have higher levels of the M1 macrophages, she added.
Her team went on to show that antibodiessimilar to those already used clinically to treat COVID-19helped M2 macrophages clear the SARS-CoV-2 virus. More work is needed to show whether the observations hold true in humans, but the findings could help inform the prevention or treatment of severe COVID-19 in the most at-risk patients. And Chen is already thinking ahead to her next experiments with the stem cell-derived organoids.
This model system is useful for decoding the molecular mechanisms behind not only COVID-19, but other infectious diseases, said Chen.
In the future, her group hopes to make more complex mini-organs that include not only lung and immune cells, but blood vessels, nerves and other supporting cell types.
##
Differential effects of macrophage subtypes on SARS-CoV-2 infection in a human pluripotent stem cell-derived model
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Read more:
Hunting for the immune cells that predispose people to severe COVID-19 - EurekAlert
- 100 plus years of stem cell research20 years of ISSCR - PMC - March 26th, 2024
- Stem Cell Science and Human Research Studies Ahead of Cargo Arrival - NASA Blogs - February 18th, 2024
- Stem cell research project to launch into space - Fox Weather - January 24th, 2024
- Breakthrough in cancer research opening up stem cell therapy to more people. How you can get involved - 69News WFMZ-TV - January 20th, 2024
- Stem Cell Research Heading to the ISS on Axiom Mission 3 - ISS National Lab - January 18th, 2024
- No, Rep. Steve Scalise Didn't Vote Against Stem Cell Research From Which He Is Now Benefiting - The Dispatch - January 12th, 2024
- Applications are open for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund - Technical.ly - January 4th, 2024
- Global Stem Cell Therapy Market to Reach USD 928.6 Million by 2031: Says Allied Market Research - Yahoo Finance - November 19th, 2023
- Current state of stem cell-based therapies: an overview - PMC - November 3rd, 2023
- Dynamic Stem Cell Therapy Uncovers Research in Advance Regenrative Medicine - Yahoo Finance - November 3rd, 2023
- Research Fellow (Aging and Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory ... - Times Higher Education - October 15th, 2023
- Qkine Collaborates with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute to Facilitate Same-Day Access to Key Research Products for Researchers at the Cambridge... - September 27th, 2023
- Stem cells: a comprehensive review of origins and emerging clinical ... - September 25th, 2023
- Stem Cell Research and Communicating Science | GBH - GBH News - September 20th, 2023
- Stem cell research reveals the earliest stages of a human life - SBS News - September 10th, 2023
- Stem Cell Therapy Market Size 2023 | Innovative Research Methodologies with Emerging Trends and Opportuni - Benzinga - September 10th, 2023
- Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Research, Current Trends, Key Industry Play - Benzinga - September 8th, 2023
- Stem Cell Therapy Market 2023 Business Statistics and Research ... - The Knox Student - August 28th, 2023
- Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Analysis, Research ... - Chatfield News-Record - July 19th, 2023
- Global Stem Cell Market Projected to Reach $14 Bn by 2028: Ken Research - Yahoo Finance - July 11th, 2023
- Theradaptive Awarded Manufacturing Assistance Grant by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund - Benzinga - July 10th, 2023
- Bionano Announces Presentation of OGM Utility Across Stem Cell Therapy Applications at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual... - June 19th, 2023
- Sana Biotechnology Highlights Preclinical Data from Hypoimmune and Fusogen Platforms at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2023... - June 17th, 2023
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Global Market Report 2023: Effective Research Programs Hold Key in Roll Out of Advanced iPSC Treatments - Yahoo... - June 17th, 2023
- Lung and heart stem cell research paves way for new COVID-19 treatments - Medical Xpress - June 14th, 2023
- Toxicology PhD student cultivating giant leaps in stem cell research ... - June 4th, 2023
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) - May 26th, 2023
- Findings may lead to improved insulin-secreting cells derived from stem ... - May 26th, 2023
- Cell Press: Stem Cell Reports - May 26th, 2023
- Stem cell research could enable blood to be made in other parts of the body - Medical Xpress - May 26th, 2023
- Construction of myocardial patch with mesenchymal stem cells and poly ... - May 22nd, 2023
- Cedars-Sinai to Send Stem Cells to the Space Station to Aid in the ... - May 22nd, 2023
- researchers expand human blood stem cells | Institute for Stem Cell ... - May 22nd, 2023
- A Look Inside Stem Cells Helps Create Personalized Regenerative ... - May 17th, 2023
- Exclusive Research Report on Msenchymal Stem Cell and Exosome Diagnostics and Therapies Market to Witness Comp - openPR - May 17th, 2023
- The Future of Stem Cell Research: Master of Science in ... - The Daily | Case Western Reserve University - May 10th, 2023
- Exclusive Research Report on Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes and ... - Digital Journal - May 9th, 2023
- Aging melanocyte stem cells and gray hair | National Institutes of ... - May 5th, 2023
- Mouse hair turns gray when certain stem cells get stuck - May 5th, 2023
- Science-First Skincare Company Michal Morrison Secures Exclusive World-Wide License of Proprietary STEM6 Molecule, Supported by Over 25 Years of... - May 5th, 2023
- BioCentriq and panCELLa execute research agreement to study stem cell-derived Natural Killer cell expansi - Benzinga - May 3rd, 2023
- Hair turning gray? Study finds a stem cell 'glitch' may be the cause - May 1st, 2023
- Elevai Labs Announces Research Grant Award and Partnership to Better Characterize the 'Payload' of ELEVAI's Stem Cell-derived Exosomes - Yahoo Finance - April 27th, 2023
- Why does hair turn gray? A new study says 'stuck' stem cells may ... - NPR - April 27th, 2023
- Study advances understanding of how melanocyte stem cells work to color ... - April 21st, 2023
- Stem cell research and therapy legislation to be replaced, says ... - Bahamas Tribune - April 21st, 2023
- Stem Cell Research (journal) - Wikipedia - April 21st, 2023
- Scientists Are About to Try to Create Stem Cells in Space - April 21st, 2023
- Stem Cell Research & Therapy | Articles - BioMed Central - April 16th, 2023
- Stem Cell Junk Yards Reveal a New Clue About Aging | WIRED - April 16th, 2023
- Global Stem Cells Market Research Report 2023: Implications - April 16th, 2023
- Stem cell research can help people with hard- | EurekAlert! - April 16th, 2023
- University Of Edinburgh's stem cell research gets funding boost - India Education Diary - April 14th, 2023
- Two major stem cell research projects supported with more than ... - University of California, Santa Cruz - April 8th, 2023
- Cancer detection predicts tumors before they form: discovery - March 29th, 2023
- Stem cell therapy: a potential cure for hearing loss? - March 29th, 2023
- Turkey's Only Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center - Expat Guide Turkey - March 24th, 2023
- Stem Cell Research Article, Embryonic Cells Information, Cell Therapy ... - March 24th, 2023
- Scientists create mice with cells from 2 males for 1st time - March 19th, 2023
- QBRI concludes stem cells symposium - Gulf Times - March 17th, 2023
- 2020 California Proposition 14 - Wikipedia - March 17th, 2023
- Stem Cell Reports | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier - March 17th, 2023
- Stem cell therapy MSC-NP found to ease inflammatory activity of brain ... - March 12th, 2023
- Stem Cell Research | Office of Research Compliance | SIU - March 12th, 2023
- Heart disease study shows hope for stem cell treatment - March 4th, 2023
- Stem cells drive antler regeneration | Science - March 4th, 2023
- Stem Cell Research: Argumentative Essay - Free Essay Example - Edubirdie - March 4th, 2023
- Stem Cell Research | Thermo Fisher Scientific - US - March 4th, 2023
- Stem cell controversy - Wikipedia - February 28th, 2023
- National Institutes of Health grant funds interdisciplinary ... - February 27th, 2023
- Research Associate in Cancer Stem Cell Research job with ... - Times Higher Education - February 25th, 2023
- Pioneering Stem Cell Research Conference at The Aga Khan ... - The Aga Khan University - February 25th, 2023
- Scientists grapple with ethics of stem cell research - STAT - February 17th, 2023
- Research Associate in Stem Cell Neurobiology job with KINGS ... - Times Higher Education - January 30th, 2023
- Stem cells: past, present, and future | Stem Cell Research & Therapy ... - January 12th, 2023
- Edu Thesis & Essay: Stem cell research outline top writers online! - January 12th, 2023
- Stem Cell Biology Research Program | Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell ... - January 5th, 2023
- Stem cell population identified is vital for bone regeneration: Research - ThePrint - January 5th, 2023
- Leading scientist 'blown away' by UAE advances in stem cell research - The National - December 15th, 2022
- The Stem Cell Assay Market Is Set To Grow At A 20% Annual Rate, Due To The High Prevalence Of Chronic Diseases As Per The Business Research Company's... - December 13th, 2022
Recent Comments