Mouse models for filovirus infections.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Pathogenesis

Background:

• Filoviruses, including Marburg and Ebola viruses, cause severe hemorrhagic fever (HF) in humans and nonhuman primates.
• Research on filoviral HF pathogenesis and countermeasures is primarily conducted in biocontainment laboratories using animal models.
• Nonhuman primates (NHPs) closely mimic human filoviral HF but are limited in experimental use, leading to reliance on rodent models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the use of mouse models in filovirus research.
• To investigate filoviral disease pathogenesis, immune responses, and therapeutic/vaccine evaluations.
• To discuss the strengths and weaknesses of murine models and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies utilizing wild-type or mouse-adapted filoviruses in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice.
• Analysis of research on filoviral disease pathogenesis, immune responses, and evaluation of antiviral drugs and vaccines.
• Discussion of the utility and limitations of mouse models in filovirus research.

Main Results:

• Mouse models have been instrumental in understanding filoviral disease mechanisms and host responses.
• Studies in mice have facilitated the evaluation of numerous antiviral drugs and vaccine candidates.
• Murine models offer advantages in terms of availability and reagent accessibility for filovirus research.

Conclusions:

• Mice are a valuable small animal model for filovirus research, aiding in pathogenesis studies and countermeasure development.
• Despite limitations, mouse models provide essential insights into filoviral HF and are crucial for advancing research.
• Further research is needed to refine murine models and address remaining questions in filovirus pathogenesis and treatment.