INTERESTING ENGINEERING - In a recent study, scientists revealed a fluid-filled sac surrounding our lungs that harbors "potent virus-eating cells." Interestingly, these quickly cross into the lungs during flu infections.
These virus-eating cells are called macrophages — immune cells that the body naturally produces.
"The name macrophage means 'big eater.' They gobble up bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and dying cells. Really, anything that looks foreign, they take it up and destroy it," said Juliet Morrison, a virologist from the University of California, Riverside.
"We were surprised to find them in the lungs because nobody has seen this before, that these cells go into the lung when there's an infection," added Morrison, who led this study.