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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
Published on: December 23, 2016
Measles studies in the macaque model
1Department of Virology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.deswart@erasmusmc.nl
Abstract:
Much of our current understanding of measles has come from experiments in non-human primates. In 1911, Goldberger and Anderson showed that macaques inoculated with filtered secretions from measles patients developed measles, thus demonstrating that the causative agent of this disease was a virus. Since then, different monkey species have been used for experimental measles virus infections. Moreover, infection studies in macaques demonstrated that serial passage of the virus in vivo and in vitro resulted in virus attenuation, providing the basis for all current live-attenuated measles vaccines. This chapter will review the macaque model for measles, with a focus on vaccination and immunopathogenesis studies conducted over the last 15 years. In addition, recent data are highlighted demonstrating that the application of a recombinant measles virus strain expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein dramatically increased the sensitivity of virus detection, both in living and sacrificed animals, allowing new approaches to old questions on measles vaccination and pathogenesis.
Insights
The macaque model has been crucial for understanding measles virus, leading to live-attenuated vaccines. New recombinant measles virus strains enhance detection for improved vaccination and pathogenesis studies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Non-human primate models, particularly macaques, are foundational to measles research.
- Historical experiments in macaques identified measles virus and informed vaccine development.
- Macaque studies demonstrated measles virus attenuation, crucial for live-attenuated vaccine creation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the macaque model for measles research over the last 15 years.
- To focus on vaccination and immunopathogenesis studies in macaques.
- To highlight advancements in measles virus detection using recombinant strains.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and recent macaque studies on measles virus infection.
- Analysis of vaccination and immunopathogenesis research in macaques.
- Application of a recombinant measles virus expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) for sensitive virus detection.
Main Results:
- Macaque models have historically contributed to understanding measles virus and vaccine development.
- Serial passage in macaques led to measles virus attenuation, forming the basis of current vaccines.
- Recombinant measles virus expressing eGFP significantly enhances virus detection sensitivity in animals.
Conclusions:
- The macaque model remains indispensable for measles virus research, including vaccine efficacy and pathogenesis.
- Advanced detection methods using recombinant measles virus open new avenues for studying measles vaccination and disease.
- Continued use of the macaque model with novel tools will deepen our understanding of measles.
