Single-cell transcriptome of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid reveals sequential change of macrophages during SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets

Few studies have used a longitudinal approach to describe the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we perform single-cell RNA sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells longitudinally obtained from SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets. Landscape analysis of the lung immune microenvironment shows distinct changes in cell proportions and characteristics compared to uninfected control, at 2 and 5 days post-infection (dpi). Macrophages are classified into 10 distinct subpopulations with transcriptome changes among monocyte-derived infiltrating macrophages and differentiated M1/M2 macrophages, notably at 2 dpi. Moreover, trajectory analysis reveals gene expression changes from monocyte-derived infiltrating macrophages toward M1 or M2 macrophages and identifies a macrophage subpopulation that has rapidly undergone SARS-CoV-2-mediated activation of inflammatory responses. Finally, we find that M1 or M2 macrophages show distinct patterns of gene modules downregulated by immune-modulatory drugs. Overall, these results elucidate fundamental aspects of the immune response dynamics provoked by SARS-CoV-2 infection. A longitudinal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans is challenging. Here the authors show a single cell RNA-sequencing analysis of BAL fluid cells from ferrets and characterise the time dependent recruitment of macrophage subsets to the lungs in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Automated summary

The study utilized a longitudinal approach to analyze single-cell RNA sequencing data from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells of SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets, showing changes in immune response characteristics at 2 and 5 days post-infection compared to uninfected controls. This analysis identified distinct macrophage subsets and gene expression changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, shedding light on the dynamic immune response dynamics triggered by the virus.