Does autonomous macrophage-driven inflammation promote alveolar damage in COVID-19?. Issue 6 (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dockrell, David H.; Russell, Clark D.; McHugh, Brian; Fraser, Rupsha
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 60:Issue 6(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01521-2022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has caused devastating effects, with over 550 million infections by July 2022 and approximately 6.4 million deaths [1]. Societal and economic impacts will reverberate for years, with continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 as it persistently spreads through the human population as exemplified by reduced activity of vaccines and monoclonals against Omicron BA.4 or BA.5 subvariants [2]. A greater understanding of pathogenesis and more tailored therapeutic approaches are therefore essential. The editorial reviews an ERJ publication which shows direct viral replication is rare in the alveolar space due to rare ACE2 expression. Instead it posits that autonomous macrophage inflammation occurs and drives lung injury. https://bit.ly/3CqjwiT