Work

Advances and perspectives in animal models of human hepatitis A virus

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important pathogen that has continuously posed a threat to global public health for over 5000 years. The development of accessible and reliable small animal models, especially murine models, is essential for elucidating HAV pathogenesis and advancing preventive and therapeutic strategies. The first mouse model for HAV infection was established using human‐liver chimeric mice, which supported robust viral replication and high viral loads. Later, an Ifnar1 −/− mice model was established with a specific mouse‐adapted strain, recapitulating key clinical features of human hepatitis A. Recently, to overcome limitations associated with the difficulty in obtaining and amplifying stocks of HAV for animal models, our laboratory established a novel hepatitis A mouse model using lipid nanoparticle‐encapsulated viral genomic RNA (LNP‐vRNA). This approach provides a new strategy for modeling infections of hard‐to‐culture RNA viruses. In this review, we systematically summarize and compare these mouse models, respectively highlighting their advantages and limitations, and offer guidance for their application in future HAV research.

Source: Animal Models and Experimental Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/ame2.70219

Authors: Jian Li, Pei‐Yu Jiang, Hui Zhao, Cheng‐Feng Qin

Institutions: Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

Language: English

Topic: Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000