Modeling oncogenic herpesvirus infections in humanized mice

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Preclinical Research

Background:

• Humanized mouse models are essential for studying human immune responses and diseases in vivo.
• Developing effective models requires reconstituting immunodeficient mice with human immune components.
• Significant advancements have been made in creating robust humanized mouse models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an introduction to the three most common humanized mouse models.
• To discuss their application in studying gammaherpesvirus-driven pathogenesis.
• To highlight key discoveries enabled by these models.

Main Methods:

• Reconstitution of immunodeficient mice with human immune cells.
• Engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for bone marrow reconstitution.
• Implantation of human fetal liver and thymus for thymic organoid development.

Main Results:

• These models allow for the study of human immune cell function and development in vivo.
• They facilitate the investigation of host-pathogen interactions, specifically with gammaherpesviruses.
• Critical insights into viral pathogenesis and immune responses have been gained.

Conclusions:

• Humanized mouse models are indispensable tools in immunological and virological research.
• The reviewed models offer distinct advantages for studying gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis.
• These models have significantly contributed to our understanding of human immune system function and disease.