Scientists have developed six lines of humanized mice that can serve as valuable models for studying human cases of COVID-19.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed six lines of humanized mice that can serve as valuable models for studying human cases of COVID-19., these mouse models are important for COVID-19 research because their cells were engineered to include two important human molecules that are involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells -- and these humanized mice were generated on two different immunologic backgrounds.
"This work is part of LJI's mission to contribute to pandemic preparedness around the world," says Shresta.Shresta's lab is known for producing mouse models to study immune responses to infectious diseases such as dengue virus and Zika virus. In 2021, her laboratory partnered with Synbal, Inc., a preclinical biotechnology company based in San Diego, CA, to develop multi-gene, humanized mouse models for COVID-19 research.
"This work wouldn't have been possible if we didn't have a BSL-3 facility at LJI," says Shresta, who has worked closely with LJI's Department of Environmental Health and Safety to conduct several cutting-edge studies in the facility. By characterizing these responses in the new mouse models, the researchers have established a foundation for understanding the immune heterogeneity -- or wide range of immune responses -- of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease.
"Not only are these models useful for current COVID-19 studies, but if there should be another coronavirus pandemic -- with a virus that utilizes the same ACE2 receptor and/or TMPRSS2 molecule for viral entry into human cells -- then these mouse lines on two different genetic backgrounds will be ready," says Kim.
Influence of Th1 versus Th2 immune bias on viral, pathological, and immunological dynamics in SARS-CoV-2 variant-infected human ACE2 knock-in miceA drug treatment that acts as a decoy against SARS-CoV-2 was highly effective at preventing death and lung damage in humanized animal models of severe COVID-19 disease. The study suggests that the ...
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