Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Preventing and treating influenza virus infection remain a challenge because of incomplete understanding of the host–pathogen interactions, limited therapeutics and lack of a universal vaccine. So far, methods for monitoring the course of infection with influenza virus in real time in living animals are lacking. Here we report the visualization of influenza viral infection in living mice using an engineered replication-competent influenza A virus carrying luciferase reporter gene. After intranasal inoculation, bioluminescence can be detected in the chest and nasopharyngeal passage of living mice. The intensity of bioluminescence in the chest correlates with the dosage of infection and the viral load in the lung. Bioluminescence in the chest of infected mice diminishes on antiviral treatment. This work provides a novel approach that enables real-time study of influenza virus infection and effects of antiviral therapeutics in living animals. Mouse models of influenza infection that permit monitoring of infection in living animals are scarce. Here Pan et al. describe an engineered influenza virus expressing luciferase, which enables real-time in vivovisualization of viral infection and assessment of antiviral drugs.
Source: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3369
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W2098526680