Concept

Effects of COVID-19 on the Lungs

A main feature of symptomatic COVID-19 disease is respiratory infection. Severe damage to the lungs during respiratory distress may cause pulmonary fibrosis, necessitating lung transplants. Lasting damages to the lungs may occur even in recovering patients with mild infections. SARS-CoV-2 targets the following cell types:

  • Type I pneumocytes (AT1)
  • Type II pneumocytes (AT2)
  • alveolar macrophages

ACE2 expression is primarily seen in AT2 cells which have been shown to be involved in the reproduction and transmission of the virus. Viral targeting of alveolar macrophages is evidenced by N antigen expression.

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Updated 2020-10-17

Tags

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Biomedical Sciences