"Human macrophage activation in COVID-19: involvement of MAF and MAFB in the cytokine storm triggered upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and identification of novel prognostic biomarkers"

The most severe cases of COVID-19 are associated with an exacerbated response of the immune system, which has been dubbed a 'cytokine storm', and the appearance of fibrosis in the lungs. This symptomatology is largely due to the action of a type of defensive cell, macrophages. This project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that lead to cytokine storm and pulmonary fibrosis, and to test the hypothesis that it is possible to 're-educate' macrophages so that these same cells act in a positive sense, avoiding further injury. severe COVID-19. The authors of the project have identified, in previous work, molecules that intervene in the inflammatory and fibrotic effects of macrophages - the transcription factors MAFB and MAF - and will use them to question their hypothesis. The collaboration in the project between a research group from the CSIC and the departments of Immunology and Internal Medicine of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos will allow the analysis of possible new therapeutic approaches based on the activation of macrophages, using plasma from COVID-19 patients. In these samples, the researchers will also look for new markers based on macrophages that predict the evolution of the disease.