Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 16, 2026 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: Chinese Scientists Identify CPQ as Key Regulator of Lung Inflammation
In a breakthrough that could reshape how doctors understand severe COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, researchers in China have identified a little-known gene that appears to play a powerful role in controlling inflammation in the lungs. The gene, known as CPQ (Carboxypeptidase Q), may determine why some people develop serious illness after infection while others experience only mild symptoms.
Scientists identify CPQ as a key anti-inflammatory gene that may determine why some
Omicron infections turn severe
The study was led by scientists from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, in collaboration with researchers from University of Iceland and Karolinska Institute. Their work focused on individuals infected for the first time with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during China’s massive outbreak in late 2022.
A Rare Opportunity to Study First-Time Infections
Unlike earlier studies conducted during mixed waves of different coronavirus variants, this research examined 5,151 people infected during a period when nearly all cases in China were caused by Omicron. Among them, 269 individuals developed severe disease requiring hospital care or significant medical treatment.
By analyzing the complete genetic profiles of these patients, researchers performed a genome-wide association study. They discovered a significant genetic signal on chromosome 8, specifically at a location known as 8q22.1. The strongest variant, called rs7817424, sits within the CPQ gene.
This
Medical News report highlights that the discovery reached the strict statistical threshold required for genome-wide significance, meaning the finding is highly unlikely to be due to chance.
What Does CPQ Actually Do?
CPQ belongs to a family of enzymes that break down small protein fragments. Before this study, it had not been linked to infectious diseases. However, deeper genetic mapping showed strong evidence that CPQ was the gene responsible for the newly identified risk signal.
The researchers found that people carrying certain genetic variants had altered CPQ activity. Importantly, the risk variants appeared to increase CPQ expression at both the RNA and protein levels.
Single-cell RNA sequencing of lung tissue revealed that CPQ is especially active in immune cells called macrophages and monocytes. These cells are frontline defenders in the lungs. They detect viruses and trigger inflammation to fight infection.
However, in severe COVID-19 patients, CPQ levels were lower in key lung immune cells compared to healthy controls. This suggested that reduced CPQ activity might contribute to uncontrolled inflammation.
A U-Shaped Pattern in Immune Cells
When scientists tracked how CPQ behaves as monocytes mature into macrophages, they observed a U-shaped pattern. CPQ levels first dropped and then recovered during immune cell tra
nsition. This dynamic change suggests CPQ plays a regulatory role during immune activation.
Gene network analysis showed that CPQ is connected to pathways involving protein breakdown and signal control, particularly processes linked to the NF-κB inflammatory pathway. NF-κB is known to drive cytokine production, including TNF-α and IL-6, two major inflammatory molecules elevated in severe COVID-19.
Laboratory Proof of Anti-Inflammatory Effects
To confirm these genetic observations, researchers conducted laboratory experiments.
In human THP-1 immune cells engineered to overexpress CPQ, exposure to bacterial toxin LPS triggered significantly lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to normal cells. This demonstrated that higher CPQ levels dampen inflammatory responses.
In mice injected with LPS to simulate systemic inflammation, lung CPQ levels dropped sharply. This indicates that inflammation may suppress CPQ, potentially removing an important brake on immune overreaction.
Together, these experiments show that CPQ acts as a natural anti-inflammatory regulator.
Why This Discovery Matters
The study suggests CPQ may protect against dangerous immune overreactions during respiratory infections. While the findings were observed in Omicron infections, the mechanisms involved likely apply to other viral and inflammatory lung diseases.
The researchers conclude that CPQ represents a previously unrecognized genetic factor influencing infection severity. Its ability to suppress excessive cytokine production highlights its potential as a therapeutic target. If future studies confirm these results across different populations and respiratory illnesses, drugs designed to enhance CPQ activity could one day help prevent life-threatening inflammation.
Importantly, this discovery moves beyond simple association and provides functional biological proof. By combining genetics, single-cell analysis, and laboratory experiments, the team presents a comprehensive picture of how CPQ regulates immune balance in the lungs.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8104260/v1
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
Share
Tweet
Share
