Research on angiotensins detailed by scientists at Peking Union Medical College
2007 NOV 20 -- New research, 'Mice transgenic for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 provide a model for SARS coronavirus infection,' is the subject of a report. "To establish a small animal model of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), we developed a mouse model of human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection by introducing the human gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) (the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV), driven by the mouse ACE2 promoter, into the mouse genome. The hACE2 gene was expressed in lung, heart, kidney, and intestine," scientists in Beijing, People's Republic of China report. "We also evaluated the responses of wild-type and transgenic mice to SARS-CoV inoculation. At days 3 and 7 postinoculation, SARS-CoV replicated more efficiently in the lungs of transgenic mice than in those of wild-type mice. In addition, transgenic mice had more severe pulmonary lesions, including interstitial hyperemia and hemorrhage, monocytic and lymphocytic infiltration, protein exudation, and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation and desquamation. Other pathologic changes, including vasculitis, degeneration, and necrosis, were found in the extrapulmonary organs of transgenic mice, and viral antigen was found in brain. Therefore, transgenic mice were more susceptible to SARS-CoV than were wild-type mice, and susceptibility was associated with severe pathologic changes that resembled human SARS infection," wrote X.H. Yang and colleagues, Peking Union Medical College. The researchers concluded: "These mice will be valuable for testing potential vaccine and antiviral drug therapies and for furthering our understanding of SARS pathogenesis." Yang and colleagues published their study in Comparative Medicine (Mice transgenic for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 provide a model for SARS coronavirus infection. Comparative Medicine, 2007;57(5):450-9). For additional information, contact X.H. Yang, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, PR China. The publisher's contact information for the journal Comparative Medicine is: American Association Laboratory Animal Science, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Dr., Memphis, TN 38125, USA. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Beijing, Angiotensins, Angiotensin, Comparative Medicine, Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, Immunization, SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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