Posted on January 29, 2025
The world-wide pandemic involving SARS-CoV2 in which high infectivity and pathogenesis necessitated the critical need for rapid and accurate preclinical modeling of this new virus. Unfortunately, the species-restricted tropism of the CoV2 spike protein towards human and not mouse ACE2, seriously hampered the ability to understand pathogenesis and potential efficacy of potential therapeutics and vaccines. Vaccine responses are particularly imperative given the likely need for continuous vaccine administration and viral evasion processes. This barrier necessitated the development of genetically altered mouse models or adapting the virus to infect murine cells.
-William Murphy, Cordelia Dunai and Smita S. Iyer
The immune responses underlying SARS-CoV2 infection are complex as are the immunopathology associated with infection and resolution in which multiple organs and tissues are affected. This is highlighted by the occurrence of prolonged pathology and symptoms termed “Long Covid” well after resolution of infection and also coupled with the high mutation rate of the virus. Preclinical models allow for mechanistic dissection of the pleiotropic effects of the virus as well as vaccine responses. These can include mouse models but also involve non-human primate models, all of which have advantages but limitations that must be considered when extrapolating to humans. Preclinical models may also include in vitro modeling components.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/58261/immune-studies-of-sars-cov2-and-vaccines-using-preclinical-modeling