Skip to main content
. 2021 Nov 15;23(1):e53466. doi: 10.15252/embr.202153466

Figure 1. High salt is an instant promotion factor of viral infection.

Figure 1

  • A, B
    Virus titers in the blood from mice (n = 5) fed an NSD (0.45% NaCl) or HSD (4% NaCl) for 30 days (A) or 7 days (B) and then intraperitoneally infected with VSV (1 × 108 PFU per gram body, 48 h) were analyzed by the TCID50 assay.
  • C
    Mice (n = 3) were intravenously injected with the high‐salt solution (3% NaCl) or control salt solution (0.9% NaCl, Ctrl). Then mice were intraperitoneally infected with VSV (1 × 109 PFU per gram body, 12 or 24 h) either 12 h post injection (P.I.) or immediately (0 h P.I.). Virus titers in the blood were analyzed by the TCID50 assay.
  • D
    Mice (n = 3) were intravenously injected with the high salt solution (3% NaCl). Na+ concentration in sera was analyzed at different time points by a Micro Blood Sodium Concentration Assay Kit. Data were shown as mean and SEM of three biological replicates.
  • E
    RAW264.7 cells were treated with additional NaCl (+34 mM: the final NaCl concentration increased by 34 mM) or control ddH2O (Ctrl). Then cells were infected with VSV (MOI = 1.0, 12 or 24 h) either 12 h post addition (P.A.) of NaCl or immediately (0 h P.A.). Viral RNA levels were analyzed by RT–qPCR.
  • F
    RT–qPCR analysis of viral RNA levels in mouse primary BMDMs infected with VSV (MOI = 1.0, 24 h) immediately after addition of NaCl (+17, 34 and 51 mM).
  • G
    HT1080 cells were infected with VSV‐GFP (MOI = 0.5, 24 h) immediately after addition of NaCl (+34 mM). VSV‐GFP viruses were observed by fluorescence. Scale bars, 100 μm.
  • H
    RT–qPCR analysis of viral RNA levels in U937, THP1, HT1080, 2fTGH and A549 cells infected with VSV (MOI = 1.0, 24 h) immediately after addition of NaCl (+34 mM).
  • I
    RAW264.7 cells were infected with VSV/H1N1/SeV (MOI = 1.0, 24 h) immediately after addition of NaCl (+34 mM), or were transfected with HBV‐replicon or HCV‐replicon and then treated with additional NaCl (+34 mM) for 12 h. Viral RNA levels were analyzed by RT‐qPCR.
  • J
    RT–qPCR analysis of viral RNA levels in mouse primary splenocytes infected with VSV/H1N1/SeV (MOI = 1.0, 24 h) immediately after addition of NaCl (+17 and 34 mM).

Data information: Data (A, B, C, D) represent mean and SEM of five (A, B) or three (C, D) biological replicates; Data (E, F, H, I, J) show the mean and SD of four (E, H) or three (F, I, J) biological replicates. For all statistical testing, P‐values were calculated using two‐tailed unpaired Student’s t‐test. NS, not significant (P > 0.05). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001.