Harnessing Immune Cell Growth Factors to Enhance Lung Repair After Viral Inflammation

Recent research highlights the critical role of macrophage-produced growth factors in repairing lung tissue damage caused by viral infections. When the lungs are invaded by viruses, the immune system's response often leads to inflammation that, while fighting the virus, can cause significant damage to the epithelial cells lining the organ. This damage hampers lung function and can result in prolonged respiratory issues.

A groundbreaking study published in Science by Harvard researchers identified oncostatin M (OSM), a growth factor secreted by lung macrophages, as a key molecule in facilitating rapid epithelial repair. Ruth Franklin, an assistant professor of stem cell and regenerative biology, explained that OSM helps restore the integrity of the lung’s epithelial barrier, which is essential for protecting against external pathogens. The research involved studying genetically modified mice incapable of producing OSM; these mice experienced more extensive lung damage following influenza infection, underscoring the importance of OSM in tissue repair.

The scientists used a synthetic virus-like molecule, poly(I:C), to simulate viral infection and observed that OSM boosts the lung's healing response even amidst inflammatory signals that would normally inhibit cell division. This suggests that OSM can override inflammation-induced repair blockade, offering promising therapeutic potential.

Researchers are exploring the baseline production of OSM, which occurs at low levels without active infection, to better understand its physiological roles. Current efforts are focused on investigating whether OSM can be harnessed as a treatment to help humans recover from viral lung injuries, including damage sustained from severe illnesses like COVID-19. The hope is that OSM-based therapies could assist in repairing lungs in patients who, despite clearing the virus, are left with compromised respiratory function due to persistent tissue damage.

This research not only advances our understanding of lung immunology and regenerative biology but also opens new avenues for developing treatments aimed at improving lung recovery and reducing long-term complications from viral pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

For more details, see the original study: Science - DOI: 10.1126/science.adi8828

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-immune-cell-growth-factor-lung.html