Fig. 1. SARS-CoV-2 induces adipose atrophy in mice.
a, Body weights of non-infected (NI) and day-6 post-SC-infected mice (n = 6 mice per group). b, Representative images of sWAT and quantification of adipose depot weights of NI- or day-6 post-SC-infected mice (n = 6 samples per group). c,d, Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of BAT and sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice by staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), perilipin (PERI), UCP1 and COX4. Immunohistological sections were counterstained (blue) by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). UCP1- and COX4-positive signals of BAT and sWAT were quantified (n = 8 random fields per group). e, mRNA levels of browning markers of Ucp1 and Cox4 in BAT and sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice were quantified by qPCR (n = 8 samples per group). f, Immunoblot analysis of UCP1 and COX4 protein levels of BAT and sWAT in NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice. β-actin served as internal control. Quantification of relative and total amount of UCP1 and COX4 (n = 6 samples per group). g, Quantification of Car9 and Hif1a mRNA levels by qPCR in sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice (n = 8 samples per group). h, Quantification of HIF1α and CA9 protein levels by immunoblot in sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice. β-actin served as internal controls (n = 6 samples per group). i, qPCR quantification of Vegf mRNA levels in sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice (n = 8 samples per group). j, Quantification of cVEGF levels in the plasma of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice (n = 8 mice per group). k, CD31 staining and quantification of microvessels in sWAT of NI or day-6 post-SC-infected mice. CD31 and Ki67 double-positive signals of sWAT were quantified (n = 8 random fields per group). Data are presented as mean ± s.e.m. Statistical analysis was performed using two-sided unpaired Student’s t-tests. SC, SARS-CoV-2. Scale bar, 50 μm.