Rapid generation of a mouse model for Middle East respiratory syndrome
Christine Wohlford-Lenane, Paul B. McCray, Jincun Zhao, Craig Fett, Stanley Perlman, Tom Gallagher, Jingxian Zhao, Ralph S. Baric, Kun Li, Michael J. Gale, Luis Enjuanes, Sudhakar Agnihothram
Abstract
The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-coronavirus, a newly identified pathogen, causes severe pneumonia in humans, with a mortality of nearly 44%. Human-to-human spread has been demonstrated, raising the possibility that the infection could become pandemic. Mice and other small laboratory animals are not susceptible to infection. Here, we describe the development of a small-animal model for MERS, in which we use an adenovirus expressing the human host-cell receptor to sensitize mice for infection. We show that these mice are useful for determining immune responses and for evaluation of an anti-MERS vaccine and an antiviral therapy. This approach will be generally useful for the rapid (2–3 wk) development of relevant mouse and other animal models for emerging viral infections.