Profibrotic monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages are expanded in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities after COVID-19.

Profibrotic monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages are expanded in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities after COVID-19.

Publication date: Oct 04, 2024

Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages drive lung injury and fibrosis in murine models and are associated with pulmonary fibrosis in humans. Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages have been suggested to develop a phenotype that promotes lung repair as injury resolves. We compared single-cell and cytokine profiling of the alveolar space in a cohort of 35 patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 who had persistent respiratory symptoms and abnormalities on a computed tomography scan of the chest that subsequently improved or progressed. The abundance of monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages, their gene expression programs, and the level of the monocyte chemokine CCL2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid positively associated with the severity of radiographic fibrosis. Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages from patients with resolving or progressive fibrosis expressed the same set of profibrotic genes. Our findings argue against a distinct reparative phenotype in monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages, highlighting their utility as a biomarker of failed lung repair and a potential target for therapy.

Concepts Keywords
Biomarker Abnormalities
Bronchoalveolar Alveolar
Space Covid
Therapy Derived
Tomography Fibrosis
Injury
Lung
Macrophages
Monocyte
Persistent
Phenotype
Profibrotic
Radiographic
Respiratory
Symptoms

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH abnormalities
disease MESH COVID-19
disease MESH lung injury
disease MESH fibrosis
disease MESH pulmonary fibrosis
disease IDO cell
disease MESH post-acute sequelae of COVID-19

Original Article

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