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Bat-mouse bone marrow chimera: a novel animal model for dissecting the uniqueness of the bat immune system

2018; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 8; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/s41598-018-22899-1

2045-2322

Kylie Su Mei Yong, Justin H. J. Ng, Zhisheng Her, Ying Ying Hey, Sue Yee Tan, Wilson Wei Sheng Tan, Sergio Erdal Irac, Min Liu, Xue Ying Chan, Merry Gunawan, Randy Foo, Dolyce H. W. Low, Ian H. Mendenhall, Yok Teng Chionh, Charles‐Antoine Dutertre, Qingfeng Chen, Lin‐Fa Wang,

Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research

Abstract Bats are an important animal model with long lifespans, low incidences of tumorigenesis and an ability to asymptomatically harbour pathogens. Currently, in vivo studies of bats are hampered due to their low reproduction rates. To overcome this, we transplanted bat cells from bone marrow (BM) and spleen into an immunodeficient mouse strain NOD-scid IL-2R −/− (NSG), and have successfully established stable, long-term reconstitution of bat immune cells in mice (bat-mice). Immune functionality of our bat-mouse model was demonstrated through generation of antigen-specific antibody response by bat cells following immunization. Post-engraftment of total bat BM cells and splenocytes, bat immune cells survived, expanded and repopulated the mouse without any observable clinical abnormalities. Utilizing bat’s remarkable immunological functions, this novel model has a potential to be transformed into a powerful platform for basic and translational research.