SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly impacts the respiratory system, with long-term effects extending beyond acute illness. The airway epithelium relies on basal stem cells (BSCs) for regeneration and repair following injury. Disruptions in BSC function can contribute to post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly referred to as long COVID.
A study analyzed BSCs derived from COVID-19 patients to determine how infection alters their regenerative capacity. Researchers identified several key changes, including:
- Goblet Cell Hyperplasia – An increase in mucus-producing goblet cells, which may contribute to excessive mucus secretion and airway obstruction.
- Inflammation – Elevated inflammatory markers, suggesting a prolonged immune response in the airway epithelium.
- Fibrosis – Signs of tissue scarring, which can reduce lung function over time.
These findings suggest that structural and molecular changes in BSCs may play a role in persistent respiratory complications seen in long COVID. The study also explored whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could help counteract these effects. Co-culture experiments demonstrated that MSCs mitigated inflammation and other adverse changes in BSCs, potentially through modulation of the interferon signaling pathway.
This research provides new insights into how COVID-19 affects airway epithelial repair and identifies MSC-based therapies as a potential avenue for addressing virus-induced respiratory damage.
