Animal Models of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 for the Development of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Interventions

Overview

Journal Pharmacol Ther

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2021 Jun 25

PMID 34171328

Citations 12

Authors

Marcel Renn

Eva Bartok

Thomas Zillinger

Gunther Hartmann

Rayk Behrendt

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Infections of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continue to spread around the globe, causing Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19. Infected people are at risk of developing acute interstitial pneumonia, which can result in lethal complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing co-morbidities. Novel prophylactic and therapeutic interventions are urgently needed to limit the infection-associated health risk for the population and to contain the pandemic. Animal models are indispensable to assessing the efficacy and safety of potential new antivirals, vaccines, and other innovative therapies, such as nucleic acid agonists of innate immune sensing receptors. In this review, we provide an overview of the commonly used animal models to study SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, including a summary of their susceptibility to infection, the spectrum of symptoms elicited, and the potential for drug development in each model. We hope that this review will help researchers to decide on the right model organism to quickly address their specific scientific questions.

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