Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026
11:40
Humanized Mouse Model to Study Bacterial Infections Targeting the Microvasculature
Published on: April 1, 2014
Studying human pathogens in animal models: fine tuning the humanized mouse
Caroline Lassnig1, Andreas Kolb, Birgit Strobl
1Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Austria.
Transgenic Research
|November 30, 2005
Summary
Humanized mice expressing human aminopeptidase N (hAPN) were susceptible to human coronavirus HCoV-229E infection in vitro. However, these mice required further adaptation for in vivo infection, highlighting species-specific barriers.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Humanized mice are essential for studying human pathogens.
- Developing animal models for human coronaviruses is critical for understanding infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a humanized mouse model for human coronavirus (HCoV) infection.
- To investigate the requirements for HCoV entry and replication across species barriers.
Main Methods:
- Gene transfer of human aminopeptidase N (hAPN, CD13) into mice to create transgenic models.
- In vitro infection assays using transgenic cells and mice.
- In vivo infection studies with transgenic mice, including crossing with Stat1(-/-) mice.
- Viral adaptation studies to overcome species-specific barriers.
Main Results:
- Transgenic cells expressing hAPN were susceptible to HCoV-229E, confirming hAPN's role in viral entry.
- Transgenic mice expressing hAPN alone were not susceptible to HCoV-229E infection in vivo, indicating additional host factors are required.
- Crossing hAPN transgenic mice with Stat1(-/-) mice enhanced in vitro replication but did not enable in vivo infection.
- Adaptation of HCoV-229E to murine cells was necessary for successful infection of humanized transgenic mice.
Conclusions:
- hAPN is necessary but not sufficient for HCoV-229E infection in vivo.
- Infection across species barriers involves complex host-pathogen interactions beyond receptor binding.
- Further genetic engineering and viral adaptation are needed to establish robust animal models for human coronavirus diseases.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...