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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
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Using Zebrafish Models of Human Influenza A Virus Infections to Screen Antiviral Drugs and Characterize Host Immune Cell Responses
Published on: January 20, 2017
9.9K
Color-Flu Fluorescent Reporter Influenza A Viruses Allow for In Vivo Studies of Innate Immune Function in Zebrafish
Brandy-Lee Soos1, Alec Ballinger1, Mykayla Weinstein1
1Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
Viruses
|January 26, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a fluorescent zebrafish model to track influenza A virus (IAV) infection and innate immune cells. Ramipril and MDIVI-1 treatments improved survival and reduced viral load in infected zebrafish.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- Influenza A virus (IAV) causes millions of illnesses annually, highlighting the need for new antiviral strategies.
- Understanding the innate immune response is crucial for developing effective treatments against IAV.
- Zebrafish larvae offer a valuable in vivo model for studying host-pathogen interactions and innate immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a fluorescent zebrafish model for visualizing IAV infection and innate immune cell dynamics.
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of ramipril and MDIVI-1 in an IAV infection model.
- To assess the impact of these drugs on host survival, viral burden, and immune cell response.
Main Methods:
- Development of four fluorescent IAV strains (Color-flu) for simultaneous monitoring of infected cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in zebrafish larvae.
- Infection of zebrafish larvae with Color-flu IAV strains.
- Treatment of infected larvae with ramipril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and MDIVI-1 (mitophagy inhibitor).
- Assessment of survival rates, viral burden, and respiratory burst response in treated and untreated groups.
Main Results:
- The Color-flu zebrafish model successfully visualized IAV infection and the dynamic interactions of immune cells in vivo.
- Treatment with ramipril and MDIVI-1 significantly improved survival rates in IAV-infected zebrafish larvae.
- Both drugs led to a decrease in viral burden and enhanced the respiratory burst response of immune cells to IAV infection.
Conclusions:
- The Color-flu zebrafish larvae model provides a powerful tool for studying IAV pathogenesis and host innate immune responses in real-time.
- Ramipril and MDIVI-1 demonstrate therapeutic potential against IAV infection by improving host defense mechanisms.
- This model complements existing systems, offering unique advantages for visualizing infection dynamics in a transparent host.
