SARS-CoV-2 Protein Fuels Lung Inflammation by Hijacking Macrophages

Summary

Researchers identified that SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 hijacks macrophages to promote viral replication and lung inflammation, with preclinical evidence that blocking IL-17RA receptor reduces inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models. This finding highlights a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19-related lung complications.