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Hemorrhagic Fever Disease in STAT-1 Knockout Mice Infected with Lujo Virus
Dylan M Johnson1,2,3, Sharon Jan2, Ethan Dunn2
1Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Lujo virus (LUJV) causes severe Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF). STAT-1 deficient mice partially recapitulate LHF, offering a potential model for developing medical countermeasures against this deadly arenavirus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lujo virus (LUJV) causes Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), a severe illness with high fatality and human-to-human transmission.
- No approved medical countermeasures exist for LHF, hindering effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the disease caused by LUJV in STAT-1 deficient mice.
- To evaluate the potential of this model for developing antiviral therapies and broadly protective compounds for LHF.
Main Methods:
- Infection of STAT-1 deficient mice with LUJV.
- Monitoring of hematological, clinical chemistry, and histological parameters.
- Assessment of disease severity and recapitulation of LHF clinical findings.
Main Results:
- STAT-1 deficient mice developed a partially lethal disease upon LUJV infection.
- Key hematological, clinical chemistry, and histological findings consistent with LHF were observed in the mouse model.
- The model demonstrated potential for studying LHF pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- STAT-1 deficient mice offer a promising preclinical model for Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever.
- This model can aid in the development and testing of medical countermeasures for LHF and other arenaviral infections.
