Humanized mouse models to study human cell-mediated and humoral responses to dengue virus

Several candidate dengue virus vaccines are in clinical trials and show promise as an effective measure to control dengue. However, it is becoming clear that additional vaccine candidates may be needed as there is concern about the durability of the immune response to all four serotypes of vaccine components and efficacy varies dependent on the immune status of the individual. The lack of an appropriate animal model to mimic human dengue has deterred the development of vaccines and anti-viral therapies to dengue virus. The focus of this review is to discuss advances in the development of humanized animal models and to highlight how they could be used for antiviral and dengue vaccine testing if limitations with cell-mediated immunity and seroconversion to IgG are overcome.