ACE2 and infection: By IF analysis using an antibody recognizing SARS-CoV-2 N, we found that whereas EC cells were not permissive to infection under basal conditions, ECs preconditioned with IFNα demonstrated a significant increase of N-positive cells by 2% (Fig. 5E, F), confirming that SARS-CoV-2 infection of the endothelial was dependent on induced ACE2 expression upon IFNα stimulation.