SARS-CoV-2 infection in Peromyscus leucopus [re-analysis of GSE154104]
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ABSTRACT: Novel coronavirus causing Covid-19 identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused pandemic in 2020. Although the virus and disease in humans has been thoroughly researched, so far there has not been animal model comparable to humans – genetically diverse species able to get infected and sick from Covid-19. The white-footed deermouse Peromyscus leucopus is a long-lived rodent and a key reservoir in North America for agents of several zoonoses including Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and viral encephalitis. While persistently infected, this deermouse avoids apparent disability or diminished fitness. Its tolerance to infection with sometimes more than one pathogen makes P. leucopus comparable to bats. This study uses P. leucopus, LL colony stock, as a genetically diverse animal model for viral infection with SARS-CoV-2. We infected P. leucopus with SARS-CoV-2, collected plasma, lungs, and brain 3 and 6 days post-infection, and compared to control animals. P. leucopus mount an immune response against viral pathogens through production of neutralizing antibodies and genome-wide transcription of type I interferon stimulated genes in lungs compared to naïve animals. Viral RNA detection correlates with gene expression of type I interferon stimulated genes in response to viral infection in the brain. We report that diversity of outbred animals, their sex and age is reflected in the range of responses. These results show that P. leucopus is a viable animal model for SARS-CoV-2, particularly in research of viral infection of the brain.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE296742 | GEO | 2026/04/30
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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