1. Efferocytosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected dying cells impairs macrophage anti-inflammatory functions and clearance of apoptotic cells.
- Author
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Salina ACG, Dos-Santos D, Rodrigues TS, Fortes-Rocha M, Freitas-Filho EG, Alzamora-Terrel DL, Castro IMS, Fraga da Silva TFC, de Lima MHF, Nascimento DC, Silva CM, Toller-Kawahisa JE, Becerra A, Oliveira S, Caetité DB, Almeida L, Ishimoto AY, Lima TM, Martins RB, Veras F, do Amaral NB, Giannini MC, Bonjorno LP, Lopes MIF, Benatti MN, Batah SS, Santana RC, Vilar FC, Martins MA, Assad RL, de Almeida SCL, de Oliveira FR, Arruda Neto E, Cunha TM, Alves-Filho JC, Bonato VLD, Cunha FQ, Fabro AT, Nakaya HI, Zamboni DS, Louzada-Junior P, Oliveira RDR, and Cunha LD
- Subjects
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology, Apoptosis, Humans, Macrophages metabolism, Phagocytosis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
- Abstract
COVID-19 is a disease of dysfunctional immune responses, but the mechanisms triggering immunopathogenesis are not established. The functional plasticity of macrophages allows this cell type to promote pathogen elimination and inflammation or suppress inflammation and promote tissue remodeling and injury repair. During an infection, the clearance of dead and dying cells, a process named efferocytosis, can modulate the interplay between these contrasting functions. Here, we show that engulfment of SARS-CoV-2-infected apoptotic cells exacerbates inflammatory cytokine production, inhibits the expression of efferocytic receptors, and impairs continual efferocytosis by macrophages. We also provide evidence supporting that lung monocytes and macrophages from severe COVID-19 patients have compromised efferocytic capacity. Our findings reveal that dysfunctional efferocytosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected cell corpses suppresses macrophage anti-inflammation and efficient tissue repair programs and provides mechanistic insights for the excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and accumulation of tissue damage associated with COVID-19 immunopathogenesis., Competing Interests: AS, Dd, TR, MF, EF, DA, IC, TF, Md, DN, CS, JT, AB, SO, DC, LA, AI, TL, RM, FV, Nd, MG, LB, ML, MB, SB, RS, FV, MM, RA, Sd, Fd, EA, TC, JA, VB, FC, AF, HN, DZ, PL, RO, LC No competing interests declared, (© 2022, Salina, dos-Santos, Rodrigues et al.)
- Published
- 2022
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