Fig 6. SM4 inhibits the hallmarks of KSHV infection in lymphatic ECFCs in vivo.

A. Schematic of the experimental in vivo layout of SOX18 inhibition on ECFCLY KSHV-infection model and sample collection. B. Lymphatic ECFCs infected with rKSHV.219 for seven days, or left uninfected, were implanted subcutaneously into NSG mice. Long-term persistence of K-ECFCLYs is seen as spindling GFP-positive cells and nuclear LANA signal, from grafts extracted 30 days post implantation. C-E. Lymphatic ECFCs and LECs, infected with KSHV for seven days, or left uninfected, were implanted subcutaneously to NSG mice in a ratio of 90–95% of K-ECFCs and 5–10% of K-LECs. 24h post implantation the mice were treated with a daily dose of either SM4 or Vehicle control for 10 days after which the mice were sacrificed, and grafts collected for total DNA and IHC. C. H&E staining of the sections from the grafts imaged by a slide scanner. GFP and LANA imaged by a confocal microscope. Quantification of D overall GFP intensity, E GFP intensity only in spindling cells and F spindling morphology (n = 12/ SM4 and 13/ Vehicle group). G. Normalized KSHV genome copies from total DNA measured with RT-qPCR between SM4 or Vehicle treated mice (n = 14/group). ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.