Spike Protein Subunits of SARS-CoV-2 Alter Mitochondrial Metabolism in Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Involvement of Factor Xa

Figure 5

(a) Representative Western blot showing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and UCP-2 expression in HPMEC incubated under control condition and in the presence of LPS (1 μg/mL) with and without recombinant COVID-19 spike S1 and S2 subunits (10 nmol/L, each subunit) (LPS+S1+S2 subunits). The effect of rivaroxaban (50 nmol/L) on LPS-incubated HPMEC with COVID-19 S1 and S2 spike subunits is also shown. (b) Representative Western blot of UCP-2 expression in HPMEC incubated without LPS but with the presence (S1+S2 subunits) and the absence of the recombinant COVID-19 spike S1 and S2 subunit proteins (10 nmol/L, each subunit). At the bottom, the densitometric analysis showed as arbitrary densitometric units (AU) of the corresponding Western blot. Results are represented as of three experiments. respect to control. ^# respect to LPS. ^& respect to LPS+S1+S2 spike subunits.

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