SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence in lung alveolar macrophages is controlled by IFN-γ and NK cells.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA generally becomes undetectable in upper airways after a few days or weeks postinfection. Here we used a model of viral infection in macaques to address whether SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body and which mechanisms regulate its persistence. Replication-competent virus was detected in bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) macrophages beyond 6 months postinfection. Viral propagation in BAL macrophages occurred from cell to cell and was inhibited by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ production was strongest in BAL NKG2r⁺CD8⁺ T cells and NKG2A^lo natural killer (NK) cells and was further increased in NKG2A^lo NK cells after spike protein stimulation. However, IFN-γ production was impaired in NK cells fro

SUBMITTER: Huot N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10681903 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature