A highly susceptible hACE2-transgenic mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 research.

ABSTRACT: Several animal models have been used to assist the development of vaccines and therapeutics since the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the lack of binding affinity of mouse angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) to the S protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), increasing the susceptibility of mice to SARS-CoV-2 infection was considered in several ways. Here, we generated a COVID-19 mouse model expressing human ACE2 (hACE2) under the control of the CAG promoter. Overexpression of hACE2 did not pose a significant effect on weight growth. After SARS-CoV-2 inoculation, mice showed obvious viral replication and production of inflammation within 7 days, with a gradual decrease in body weight until death. Virological testing found that the virus can replicate in the res

SUBMITTER: Liu G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10883650 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature