Publication Database

The bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus):
small animal model for Hepacivirus infection (2021)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Röhrs, Susanne

Begeman, Lineke

Straub, Beate K.

Boadella, Mariana

Hanke, Dennis (WE 7)

Wernike, Kerstin

Drewes, Stephan

Hoffmann, Bernd

Keller, Markus

Drexler, Jan Felix

Drosten, Christian

Höper, Dirk

Kuiken, Thijs

Ulrich, Rainer G.

Beer, Martin

Quelle

Viruses

Bandzählung: 13

Heftzählung: 12

Seiten: Artikel 2421

ISSN: 1999-4915

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/12/2421

DOI: 10.3390/v13122421

Pubmed: 34960690

Kontakt

Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen

Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 51843 / 66949
mikrobiologie@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Many people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is frequently persistent. The lack of efficient vaccines against HCV and the unavailability of or limited compliance with existing antiviral therapies is problematic for health care systems worldwide. Improved small animal models would support further hepacivirus research, including development of vaccines and novel antivirals. The recent discovery of several mammalian hepaciviruses may facilitate such research. In this study, we demonstrated that bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were susceptible to bank vole-associated Hepacivirus F and Hepacivirus J strains, based on the detection of hepaciviral RNA in 52 of 55 experimentally inoculated voles. In contrast, interferon α/β receptor deficient C57/Bl6 mice were resistant to infection with both bank vole hepaciviruses (BvHVs). The highest viral genome loads in infected voles were detected in the liver, and viral RNA was visualized by in situ hybridization in hepatocytes, confirming a marked hepatotropism. Furthermore, liver lesions in infected voles resembled those of HCV infection in humans. In conclusion, infection with both BvHVs in their natural hosts shares striking similarities to HCV infection in humans and may represent promising small animal models for this important human disease.