SARS-CoV-2 Directly Infects Fat Cells, Triggering Immune Response

A new study found that the novel coronavirus directly infects fat cells, or adipocytes, triggering an immune response that may worsen the impact of COVID-19. The Stanford University research, which has yet to be published, showed that adipocytes could become directly infected, although this was not the case for pre-adipocytes. The inflammatory response may be why patients with obesity tend to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. The study results may enable the development of COVID-19 treatments that target adipose tissue. Click here to read more.