[PDF][PDF] A novel mouse AAV6 hACE2 transduction model of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection studied using synDNA immunogens

EN Gary, BM Warner, EM Parzych, BD Griffin, X Zhu… - iscience, 2021 - cell.com
EN Gary, BM Warner, EM Parzych, BD Griffin, X Zhu, N Tailor, NJ Tursi, M Chan, M Purwar
iscience, 2021cell.com
More than 100 million people have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Common laboratory mice are not susceptible to wild-type
SARS-CoV-2 infection, challenging the development and testing of effective interventions.
Here, we describe the development and testing of a mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection
based on transduction of the respiratory tract of laboratory mice with an adeno-associated
virus vector (AAV6) expressing human ACE-2 (AAV6. 2FF-hACE2). We validated this model …
Summary
More than 100 million people have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Common laboratory mice are not susceptible to wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection, challenging the development and testing of effective interventions. Here, we describe the development and testing of a mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection based on transduction of the respiratory tract of laboratory mice with an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV6) expressing human ACE-2 (AAV6.2FF-hACE2). We validated this model using a previously described synthetic DNA vaccine plasmid, INO-4800 (pS). Intranasal instillation of AAV6.2FF-hACE2 resulted in robust hACE2 expression in the respiratory tract. pS induced robust cellular and humoral responses. Vaccinated animals were challenged with 105 TCID50 SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19/Canada/ON-VIDO-01/2020) and euthanized four days post-challenge to assess viral load. One immunization resulted in 50% protection and two immunizations were completely protective. Overall, the AAV6.2FF-hACE2 mouse transduction model represents an easily accessible, genetically diverse mouse model for wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection and preclinical evaluation of potential interventions.
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