Expanded utility belt for tackling bat viruses
Jie Zhou1,2,3, Kwok Yung Yuen1,2,3
1Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 15, 2025
Summary
A diverse organoid panel reveals how bats interact with viruses, highlighting risks for cross-species disease transmission. This research aids in understanding and preventing future pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Comparative Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bats host numerous viruses with pandemic potential.
- Understanding bat-virus interactions is crucial for public health.
- Previous research lacked comprehensive models for studying these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bat-virus interactions using a novel organoid system.
- To assess the potential for viral spillover from bats to other species.
- To identify key factors influencing cross-species viral transmission.
Main Methods:
- Development of a diverse panel of bat organoids representing various tissues.
- Infection of organoids with a range of bat-associated viruses.
- Analysis of viral replication, host response, and cell tropism within organoids.
- Comparative analysis across different organoid types to identify species-specific vulnerabilities.
Main Results:
- Organoids successfully recapitulated key aspects of bat-virus interactions.
- Demonstrated differential susceptibility of various bat organoid types to viral infection.
- Identified specific cell types and pathways involved in viral entry and replication.
- Provided evidence for the potential of certain bat viruses to infect and replicate in non-bat derived organoids.
Conclusions:
- A diverse organoid panel is a powerful tool for studying bat-virus dynamics.
- Bat organoids reveal species-specific interactions and susceptibility to viral infection.
- Findings underscore the importance of bats as reservoirs for viruses with zoonotic potential.
- This model system can inform strategies for pandemic preparedness and prevention.
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