Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes
08:30

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.3K

Reduced DMPC and PMPC in lung surfactant promote SARS-CoV-2 infection in obesity

Kang Du1, Ling Sun2, Zichen Luo2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, UCI Diabetes Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.

Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|March 21, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Obesity alters lung surfactant lipids, increasing SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. Restoring phosphatidylcholines (PCs) like DMPC and PMPC may prevent severe COVID-19 in obese individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Virology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • The precise mechanisms linking obesity to increased SARS-CoV-2 severity remain unclear.
  • Lung surfactant, rich in phosphatidylcholines (PCs), plays a role in respiratory defense, and its composition is altered in obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of lung surfactant lipid composition in SARS-CoV-2 infection in obesity.
  • To determine if specific PCs influence SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting lung surfactant lipids for COVID-19 in obese patients.

Main Methods:

  • Lipidomic analysis (LC-MS/MS) of lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in obese mice.
  • In vitro assessment of phosphatidylcholine (PC) effects on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection in ACE2-expressing cells.
  • In vivo manipulation of lung surfactant PC levels using trimyristin in obese mice.

Main Results:

  • Obese mice exhibited reduced levels of dimyristoyl-PC (DMPC) and palmitoylmyristoyl-PC (PMPC) in lung surfactant.
  • DMPC and PMPC demonstrated significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell models.
  • Supplementation with trimyristin increased DMPC and PMPC levels and reduced viral infection in obese mice.
  • Cholesterol reversed the inhibitory effects of DMPC and PMPC on SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced DMPC and PMPC in lung surfactant may facilitate SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in obesity.
  • Augmenting lung surfactant DMPC and PMPC levels presents a potential therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 in obese individuals.
Keywords:
COVID-19Lung surfactantObesityPhosphatidylcholineSARS-CoV-2

More Related Videos

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity07:13

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity

Published on: January 6, 2015

10.8K
Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury14:48

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury

Published on: March 21, 2021

5.2K

Related Concept Videos

Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
60.5K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
3.2K
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
650
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease01:22

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
1.5K
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
830