Health and Fitness

Thoracic adipose tissue contributes to severe virus infection of the lung

F. Hornung, L. Schulz, et al.

This research conducted by Franziska Hornung and colleagues explores the surprising role of adipose tissue in the fight against respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19. The study reveals that while fat tissue can indirectly assist virus replication through inflammation, direct replication of SARS-CoV-2 in fat cells is absent. Discover how this could reshape our understanding of obesity's impact on viral infections.

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Abstract

Obesity is a known risk factor for severe influenza and COVID-19. This study investigated the direct role of adipose tissue in respiratory virus infection. Using murine obesity models and human-derived cells, the researchers found that thoracic adipose tissue supports influenza virus replication, both directly through adipocyte and macrophage infection and indirectly by inducing proinflammatory factors. While SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the thoracic adipose tissue of COVID-19 patients, in vitro studies showed no active replication in adipocytes, but did show replication and inflammation in macrophages.

Publisher

International Journal of Obesity

Published On

Aug 16, 2023

Authors

Franziska Hornung, Luise Schulz, Nilay Köse-Vogel, Antje Häder, Jana Grießhammer, Daniel Wittschieber, Angelina Autsch, Christina Ehrhardt, Gita Mall, Bettina Löffler, Stefanie Deinhardt-Emmer

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