Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42079584›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2026

Respiratory epithelial cells as central mediators of immune crosstalk in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Xingjian Liu, Zhefen Mai, Lingbin Sun, Liqiang Deng, Moushen Tang, Geng Li, Xiaoyi Yang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xingjian Liu *Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Zhefen Mai *Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Lingbin SunShenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Liqiang DengSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Moushen TangGuangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.
Geng LiChinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China.
Xiaoyi YangShenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces life-threatening acute lung injury (ALI) and disrupts immune homeostasis, however, the role of epithelial-immune cell crosstalk in driving this pathology remains incompletely elucidated. Respiratory epithelial cells (RECs) as the primary targets of SARS-CoV-2 via the ACE2 receptor, act as central mediators of immune crosstalk that balances antiviral defense and immunopathology in COVID-19. Beyond forming a physical barrier against pathogen invasion, RECs regulate bidirectional crosstalk with immune cells (including alveolar macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes) through multiple mechanisms, such as cytokine signaling, antigen presentation, PD-L1 checkpoint modulation, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation. Under physiological conditions, these interactions promote viral clearance and epithelial repair; In contrast, dysregulation of such crosstalk leads to excessive inflammatory responses like cytokine storm and impaires tissue regeneration. Elucidating the molecular dynamics underlying REC-immune crosstalk is crucial for gaining insights into the development of targeted therapies (e.g., modulating cytokine signaling, restoring RAAS balance) to mitigate the severity of COVID-19. This review summarized recent findings to clarify how REC-mediated immune crosstalk dictates antiviral responses and pathological outcomes, thereby providing a theoretical basis for optimizing therapeutic strategies that strengthen antiviral immunity while minimizing immunopathology.

Indexed as

COVID-19Epithelial CellsRespiratory MucosaSARS-CoV-2Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2AnimalsCytokinesHumansRenin-Angiotensin SystemSignal TransductionACE2 protein, humanAngiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2CytokinesCOVID-19 pathogenesisimmune crosstalkimmunopathologyrespiratory epithelial cellsSARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID42079584
PMCPMC13132747

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.