Analysis of the infectivity of SARS-Cov-2 in transgenic mice expressing the ACE-2 protein of possible species carrying the virus (mink, cat, dog, horse, and pig)

The objective of this project is to generate the first transgenic mouse models that reproduce human infection and models of possible species that transmit SARS-Cov-2, such as companion animals (cats and dogs) and production animals (horses, pigs and cows). , all of them selected for having an ACE-2 protein, which acts as a gateway for the virus, very similar to the human one. Mice have a version of the ACE-2 protein that differs from human, so the virus cannot enter the mouse and therefore cannot be infected by SARS-Cov-2. Therefore, to model and study COVID-19 in mice, it is necessary that they express the human ACE-2 receptor, or of the species to be studied. These transgenic mice will be used to analyze infectivity, susceptible species, and the species that transmit SARS-Cov-2 and / or the new coronaviruses that could produce future pandemics. They would also be unique models to test new drugs against COVID-19 and against possible new outbreaks of this or other coronaviruses. The research team is made up of two research groups from the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), in which experts in the production of transgenic animals as well as in zoonoses and antivirals participate.