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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury
Published on: May 21, 2018
Circulating extracellular vesicles from severe COVID-19 patients induce lung inflammation
Huifeng Qian1, Ruoxi Zang2, Ruoyang Zhang2
1Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China.
Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from severe COVID-19 patients directly cause lung inflammation and macrophage polarization in mice. These findings highlight EVs as a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19-related lung injury.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play roles in COVID-19 pathogenesis, including inflammation and thrombosis.
- The specific role of circulating EVs from severe COVID-19 patients in inducing lung injury is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether circulating EVs from severe COVID-19 patients directly induce lung inflammation.
- To explore the in vitro and in vivo proinflammatory effects of these EVs on macrophages.
Main Methods:
- EVs were isolated from plasma of severe COVID-19 patients and healthy controls.
- Mice were intratracheally instilled with EVs to assess lung inflammation.
- Bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated with EVs in vitro to evaluate proinflammatory responses.
Main Results:
- EVs from severe COVID-19 patients, but not controls, induced significant lung inflammation in mice.
- COVID-19 EVs promoted M1 polarization of alveolar macrophages in vivo.
- In vitro, COVID-19 EVs enhanced M1 macrophage phenotype and increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.
Conclusions:
- Circulating EVs from severe COVID-19 patients are potent inducers of lung inflammation.
- EVs contribute to COVID-19-induced lung injury through macrophage activation.
- Targeting EVs may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing lung damage in COVID-19.
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