The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in K18-hACE2 mice is attenuated by a novel steroid-derivative in a gender-specific manner.

These findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 exhibits gender bias by differentially regulating genes encoding inflammatory cytokines, immunogenic factors, and drug-metabolizing enzymes, in male versus female mice. Most importantly, we identified a novel 17α-ketosteroid that reduces the severity of COVID-19 infection and could be beneficial for reducing impact of COVID-19.