FIG 4.

SARS-CoV-2-derived cholesterol-conjugated peptides block SARS-CoV-2-mNeonGreen viral spread in human airway epithelial cells (HAE). (A) HAE cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (2,000 PFU/well for a multiplicity of infection of ∼0.02) for 90 min before adding SARS-CoV-2 peptide. Fluid was collected from the apical or basolateral surfaces daily for 7 days (as shown in the schematic in panel A). (B) Spread of fluorescent virus is shown at the indicated days with or without peptide treatment. (C) Viral genome copies in apical or basolateral fluids were determined by RT-qPCR at the indicated time points (days postinfection [DPI]). (D) Infectious viruses released were quantified by titration from the apical or basolateral spaces. The median values are represented by horizontal bars, and the detection limits are indicated by the dotted lines. RT-qPCR and viral titration were performed on supernatant fluids sequentially collected from the same HAE wells the pictures were taken. Data were from three separate wells for infection treated and two separate wells for infection untreated.