Figure 4.

SARS-CoV-2 elicits molecular changes associated with kidney injury in hKEpC and kSPH, without evidence of a cytopathic effect. (A) Morphology of SARS-CoV-2–infected hKEpC and Vero E6 cells versus uninfected cells. (B) Viability of hKEpC, kSPH, and Vero E6 cells 72 hours postinfection compared with uninfected cells. (C) Box plots representing mean expression levels (log₂[TPM+1]) of nephron segment markers in Vero E6 cells and hKEpC, on the basis of RNA-seq data. Nephron segment genes are downregulated in Vero E6 cells in comparison with their human orthologs, hKEpC. (D) Relative expression of type 1 IFN response–related genes in infected hKEpC versus kSPH. (E) Relative expression of genes related to kidney tubular damage. CD, collecting duct; DCT, distal convoluted tubule; LOH, loop of Henle; PT, proximal tubule.