BALB/c mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 β variant cause pathophysiological and neurological changes within the lungs and brains.

ABSTRACT: Up to one-third of individuals suffering from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with the onset of severe-to-mild diseases could develop several symptoms of neurological disorders, which could last long after resolving the infection, known as neuro-COVID. Effective therapeutic treatments for neuro-COVID remain unavailable, in part, due to the absence of animal models for studying its underlying mechanisms and developing medical countermeasures against it. Here, we explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the well-being of respiratory and neurological functions of BALB/c mice by using a clinical isolate of β-variant, i.e. B.1.351. We found that this β-variant of SARS-CoV-2 primarily infected the lungs, causing tissue damage, profound inflammatory responses, altered respiratory functions and t

SUBMITTER: Saenkham-Huntsinger P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11524415 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature