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Modeling Virus-Associated Central Nervous System Disease in Non-Human Primates
Krystal J Vail1, Brittany N Macha1, Linh Hellmers1
1Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 29, 2025
Summary
Non-human primate (NHP) models are crucial for studying viral central nervous system (CNS) diseases, offering insights into pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for infections like West Nile virus and SARS-CoV-2.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Viral infections can cause central nervous system (CNS) disease, even if the virus is not neurotropic.
- Studying viral CNS disease is challenging due to limited antemortem tissue availability and the inadequacy of in vitro models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review non-human primate (NHP) infection models for viruses affecting the CNS.
- To highlight the translatability of NHP models to human viral neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NHP models for various viral CNS infections.
- Focus on viruses with established roles in encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis.
Main Results:
- NHP models closely mimic human disease pathogenesis and susceptibility.
- Models include neurotropic viruses (e.g., West Nile virus, Zika virus) and non-neurotropic viruses (e.g., HIV, SARS-CoV-2).
Conclusions:
- NHP models are invaluable for understanding viral CNS pathogenesis.
- These models facilitate the development of effective therapeutic interventions for human viral neurological disorders.
