My research target is to understand the mechanisms of long covid as well as the other conditions within this spectrum of disease.
Phenotype change of macrophages in response to apoptotic cells.
An epithelial cell (shown in red) attacked by SARS-CoV-2 (white) activates immune cells, known as macrophages (yellow), via the cytokine interferon gamma (blue receptor). The macrophages then differentiate into a proinflammatory state M1 (lilac) and secrete proinflammatory cytokines to activate other immune responses. M1 macrophages also help to clear cell debris and virus particles by engulfing the infected cells, a process known as efferocytosis. Normally, absorbing apoptotic (dying) cells infected with a virus causes M1 macrophages to change into M2 macrophages (green), which secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines. These in turn, stimulate fibroblasts (brown) to help regenerate damaged tissues. However, macrophages that have engulfed viable SARS-CoV-2 particles do not change into the anti-inflammatory phenotype. They also are less able to absorb pathogens and cell debris, which leads to prolonged inflammation.
Which Cytokine is Dysfunctional in Long Covid?