Fig. 5
Activation of RNF5 suppresses SARS-CoV-2 virulence in a mouse infection model. a BLAB/C mice were treated with Analog-1 at dosage of 0, 1.5 mg/kg or 3.0 mg/kg (20 g mouse, 30 μg or 60 μg) for seven times at 2-day intervals, then infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus at a dosage of 105.5 TCID50/ml via intranasal inoculation. b Viral RNA loads of mouse lungs were detected 7 dpi by measuring mRNA levels of E and N genes. c Weight of mice monitored over the experimental durations. d Representative images of H&E staining of lungs of differently treated mice. Magnification, ×200. The lung injury score static analysis of HE staining were performed. 0, no injury; 1, <25% injury area; 2, 25–50% injury area; 3, 50–75% injury area; 4, >75% injury area. Bars, 100 μm. e The staining of viral N, M and E proteins. Bars, 100 μm. f Spleens of each group were evaluated for the expression of cytokines and chemokines by RT-qPCR assay. N > 5 for each group. g Spleens of each group were evaluated for the expression of RNF5 by RT-qPCR assay. Statistical significance was analyzed using two-sided unpaired t-tests (NS, no significant, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001)
