Viral respiratory infection mouse model

Viral respiratory infection mouse model.

HRV and RSV are the most common pathogens to induce respiratory viral infection in humans, resulting not only in simple common cold but also to severe illness (e.g. RSV in children) and exacerbations in patients with chronic lung disease (e.g. asthma).

We have established a mouse model of respiratory infection for HRV1b and RSV with infection via intranasal inoculation. The induced mild viral infection leads to respiratory neutrophilic infection and inflammation and the induction of the anti-viral host response. These models are a valuable tool to study e.g. the efficacy of anti-viral or immunomodulatory compounds.

Species

Mouse

Fields of application

preclinical efficacy testing

Endpoints/Outcome parameter

Viral respiratory infection
anti-viral immune response

Readout parameter

Lung function measurements possible (available in biosafety level 2 laboratory)
Bronchoalveolar lavage: cell count + differential cell count (incl. inflammatory cells)
Viral load in BAL and lung tissue
Cytokine profiles (ELISA, MSD)
Histology: conventional staining and tissue pathohistology/conventional microscopy (e.g. tissue cell infiltration), immunohistochemistry/fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy (e.g. for detection of targets e.g. receptor expression)
Lung tissue analysis (RNA isolation/ gene expression, cytokine profiles,…)
Flow cytometric analysis

Quality management and validation

Internal quality management
Historical data available
Reference compounds e.g. dexamethasone, roflumilast
Performance under GLP possible