biostudies-literatureChen Z山东省科学技术厅 | Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province| Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ()National Natural Science Foundation of Chinae0050424https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11265351biostudies-literatureUnknown98(7)Animal models of authentic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection require operation in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) containment. In the present study, we established a mouse model employing a single-cycle infectious virus replicon particle (VRP) system of SARS-CoV-2 that can be safely handled in BSL-2 laboratories. The VRP [ΔS-VRP(G)-Luc] contains a SARS-CoV-2 genome in which the spike gene was replaced by a firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene (Rep-Luci), and incorporates the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein on the surface. Intranasal inoculation of ΔS-VRP(G)-Luc can successfully transduce the Rep-Luci genome into mouse lungs, initiating self-replication of Rep-Luci and, accordingly, inducing acute lung injury mimicking the authentic SARS-CoV-2 pathoJournal of virologyA BSL-2 compliant mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection for efficient and convenient antiviral evaluation.PMC1126535182104134ZR2021ZD1782274204Du RAchi JGChen ZRan YCui QRong LfalseA BSL-2 compliant mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection for efficient and convenient antiviral evaluation.Animal models of authentic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection require operation in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) containment. In the present study, we established a mouse model employing a single-cycle infectious virus replicon particle (VRP) system of SARS-CoV-2 that can be safely handled in BSL-2 laboratories. The VRP [ΔS-VRP(G)-Luc] contains a SARS-CoV-2 genome in which the spike gene was replaced by a firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene (Rep-Luci), and incorporates the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein on the surface. Intranasal inoculation of ΔS-VRP(G)-Luc can successfully transduce the Rep-Luci genome into mouse lungs, initiating self-replication of Rep-Luci and, accordingly, inducing acute lung injury mimicking the authentic SARS-CoV-2 patho2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-22T10:46:30.355Z2025-04-05T23:41:29.048ZS-EPMC112653513889993410.1128/jvi.00504-24