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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
Temporal proteomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 infected mouse lungs
Geun Hee Han1, Misol Do2, Dain On3
1School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics : MCP
|July 2, 2026
Summary
This study used time-course proteomics to track protein changes in mouse lungs after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It identified five key protein markers that signal severe lung damage and potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular biology
- * Immunology
- * Virology
Background:
- * Understanding dynamic pathophysiological processes in SARS-CoV-2 infected lungs is crucial for effective treatment.
- * Time-course transcriptome analysis provides limited insight into protein-level temporal transitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To perform time-course proteomic profiling of lung tissues during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- * To identify dynamic molecular network activations and potential protein markers for severe pathological transitions.
Main Methods:
- * K18-hACE2 transgenic mice were infected with SARS-CoV-2.
- * Lung tissues were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at multiple time points (day 0, 1, 2, 5, 7).
- * Clustering, pathway enrichment, and network analyses were performed on proteomic data. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence validated marker expression.
Main Results:
- * Detailed dynamic activations of molecular networks perturbed by SARS-CoV-2 infection were revealed.
- * Five protein markers (Smg6, Upf1, Fcgr4, Lamp2, Padi4) were identified, indicating temporal transitions in key pathways.
- * Padi4 was confirmed to be upregulated in neutrophils during late-stage infection, associated with neutrophil extracellular trap formation.
Conclusions:
- * Temporal proteomic analysis provides deeper insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics than transcriptomics.
- * Identified protein markers can potentially predict severe pathological transitions in COVID-19.
- * The study highlights potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
