The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the reclassification of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. With the rapid spread of the disease across the globe, countries worldwide have  joined the war against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, for which, early prevention, control, and treatment may provide valuable tools against the pandemic. Currently, research and development of treatment is of the highest priority. Accurate animal models are necessary for verifying the pathogenesis and immune mechanisms of the illness to accelerate research across vaccine development, new drug development, gene therapy, and more. As professional providers of animal models with a strong basis in social responsibility - since the outbreak, the R&D  team at Cyagen has made every effort to develop animal models catered to the global SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 research initiative, helping to accelerate progress to your next research breakthrough.

 

The Most Popular Target - ACE2 Genetically Modified Mouse Model

In the course of our decades-long fight against coronaviruses, researchers have studied the virus itself and its host receptors from various perspectives, such as epidemiology, pathological phenomena, viral tracing, prevention and control measures, etc. As a human receptor that binds to the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to mediate host cell entry, functional investigation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is particularly important. Effective immediately, Cyagen is opening orders on models for ACE2 receptor targets, including humanized, knockout (KO), and ROSA26 knockin (KI) mouse models.

  

  Catalog Models   Estimated Availability   Backgrounds   Price ($) per Mouse
          ACE2   Knockout (KO)   As Fast as 2 Months C57BL/6J $500
BALB/c $650
Humanized Mice
(ROSA26 cKI)		   As Fast as 2 Months C57BL/6J $1,000
BALB/c $1,300
  Humanized Mice
(Endogenous Replacement)		   As Fast as 2 Months C57BL/6J $1,200
BALB/c $1,500

For more information, visit: ACE2 Humanized Mice – Expedite Your COVID-19 Research Efforts  

 

Beyond ACE2: Additional Targets of Significance for Coronavirus Research

 

At present, the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus is the most urgent issue for scientific and medical research. Herein, experts from Cyagen investigate the lesser-known targets that are pertinent to coronavirus research, aiming to provide some helpful references to guide scientific researchers.  

 

Mouse Models The Target’s Role in Viral Infections
    DPP4
(Dipeptidyl peptidase-4)
KO/cKO/Humanized Mice
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is the exo-peptidase that was found to be a coronavirus receptor;
  • The direct and specific binding of MERS-CoV S1 with human DPP4 leads to the occurrence of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS);
  • The structural characteristics of DDP4 binding with MERS-CoV RBD is helpful for us to understand the interaction between virus and receptor and guide the treatment of MERS-CoV infection towards the development of a vaccine.  
  APN
(Aminope ptidase N)
KO/cKO/Humanized Mice
  • APN is associated with the infection of HCoV-229E coronavirus;
  • It’s significant for the study of the host receptor mechanism for infection by the SARS-CoV-2.
TMPRSS2
(Transmembrane Serine Protease 2)
KO/cKO/Humanized Mice
  •  The transmembrane protease TMPRSS2 participates in the fusionprocess of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 membrane;
  • TMPRSS2 is a synaptic protein that activates highly pathogenic hCoVs.
  ADAM17
(ADAM Metallopeptidase Domain 17) KO/cKO/Humanized Mice  
  • The binding of SARS-CoV S protein (SARS-S) and ACE2 triggers the cleavage of ACE2 by ADAM17, which helps ACE2 to fall into vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and promotes the entry of SARS-CoV intocells;
  • ADAM17 was found to compete with the TMPRSS2 in the interaction with ACE2.  
  LY6E
(Lymphocyte Antigen 6 Complex, Locus E) KO/cKO/Humanized Mice  
  • LY6E is involved in the modulation of viral infection;
  • LY6E can regulate cell signaling, including the host immune response, which is essential for defending against viral infections;
  • LY6E inhibits CoV entry into cells by interfering with S protein-mediated membrane fusion.  
    SIGN/CD209L
(Cluster of Differentiation 209) KO/cKO/Humanized Mice  
  • Homozygous L-SIGN (CLEC4M) plays a protective role in SARS coronavirus infection;
  • SARS coronavirus entry into host cells through the binding of hypermannan on the S protein and CD209L (L-SIGN) on the plasma membrane.  
    CD147
(Cluster of Differentiation 147) KO/cKO/Humanized Mice  
  • SARS-CoV-2 invaded host cells via a novel route of CD147-spike (S) protein;
  • CD147 may serve as a receptor on the host for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, which participates in the interaction between the viruses and cells, thereby mediating the viral invasion;
  • CD147 can be used as a critical target for development ofspecific antiviral drugs.  
  DHODH
(Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase) KO/cKO/Humanized Mice  
  • A novel and potent inhibitor of DHODH exhibitsbroad-spectrum antiviral characteristics against RNA viruses;
  • RNA virus may be more sensitive to DHODH activity, DHODH plays a critical role in RNA virus replication process.

 

In addition to above targets, if you would like to order any other models related to the research of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), our experts are readily available to provide you with a free targeting strategy, quote, and letter of support (useful in funding & grant applications) for your next model generation project. Contact us!

 

How to Choose the Appropriate Coronavirus Research Model

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a clear reminder that infectious diseases caused by human pathogenic viruses are still a huge threat to global public health and economic development. Continuous efforts to study the pathogenic mechanisms of such viruses, prevent the spread of viral infections, and develop new strategies for specific vaccines and antiviral drugs have been of paramount importance to the quick progress made against SARS-COV-2 infections and COVID-19.

 

The application of research animal models – such as inbred mice with clear genetic background, humanized mice with cell/tissue transplantation, and genetically engineered mice - not only helps to study the pathogenic mechanism of viruses, but further clarifies the role of specific genes in the development of infectious diseases. In addition, choosing the appropriate models can provide effective, convenient, and feasible platforms for in vivo experiments, providing relevant data for the evaluation of potential targets of value in the prevention and treatment of different viral pathologies.

 

Comparisons of both nucleic and amino acid sequences have confirmed a high similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV (approximately 80% and 76%, respectively). Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the host through the human ACE2 receptor on the cell surface to initiate infection and causes clinical manifestations similar to SARS-CoV infection (though not exactly the same). Due to the similarities between these two viruses, the research on SARS-CoV provides an important point of reference for SARS-CoV-2 research.

 

Cyagen Support for COVID-19 Research

 

Whether your research involves SARS-CoV-2 related gene targets or factors in other cellular processes, Cyagen can provide the relevant gene knockout (KO), knock-in (KI), conditional knock-out (cKO), point mutation, and humanized mice models to facilitate your research goals. Our genetic engineering experts are readily-available to consult on your research project and provide you with a free targeting strategy, quote, and an official letter of support for your research funding applications.

 

Get Free Full-Version Here!

 

If you would like more information about how we can support your custom animal model needs, please contact us.

 

Cyagen Coronavirus Research News & Updates

 

 

 

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