Mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 infection induces post-acute lung fibrosis in BALB/c mice.

ABSTRACT: Following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.1, subsequent Omicron sub-lineages have continued to emerge, challenging the development of intervention and prevention strategies, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. To better understand the pathogenic effects caused by Omicron BA.5 infection, we developed a mouse-adapted virus with overt disease burden in BALB/c mice. Acute disease was characterized by significant weight loss and lung dysfunction following high-dose challenges. In survivor animals that were followed through 107 days post-infection, subpleural fibrosis with associated tertiary lymphoid structures was noted. Serum from these mice demonstrated potent neutralization against BA.5, with substantially reduced neutralization titers again

SUBMITTER: Powers JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645932 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature