Infectious Diseases

Innovative Clinically Relevant Infectious Disease Models

We have the capability to provide large cohort of humanized NSG™ mice readily available for researchers and drug discovery scientists.  Humanized mouse models are powerful tools to study viral host-pathogen interactions, and to accelerate the development of novel therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as other viral diseases with high morbidity and mortality including Dengue and Epstein-Barr virus which only infect human cells.

CD34⁺ humanized mice

Humanized CD34⁺ mice are supreme in vivo models to study immuno-oncology, infectious diseases and graft rejection research. This model has the longest research span, over 12 months with a functional human immune system and displays T-cell dependent inflammatory responses, with no donor cell immune reactivity towards host. Hu-CD34⁺ mice are produced by injecting CD34⁺  and yield robust multilineage immune systems with good T cell maturation and function for long-term studies.

PBMC humanized mice

Created with adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells, engrafting quickly and enabling short-term studies requiring mature human T cells.

Efficacy Studies Accelerating Drug Discovery

Our preclinical testing facility specializes in compound evaluation of standardized preclinical models of HIV.

Applications of Humanized Mice for Infectious Disease Research

• Preclinical development of new antiretroviral compounds and multidrug therapies
• Prophylaxis using topologically applied microbicides to block mucosal viral transmission
• Intramuscular adeno-associated viral mediated expression of HIV neutralizing antibodies
• Gene therapy and cellular engineering

— Vectored Immunoprophylaxis  

— Transduction of HSC and subsequent transplantation in order to:

1. Express modified HIV receptors (CD4, CCR5, CXCR4) of cell binding
2. Inhibit cellular and viral molecules needed for viral infection and replication using siRNA approaches for transcriptional or post-transcriptional gene silencing
3. Make ribozymes designed to target and cleave either host or viral-encoded RNA
4. Produce RNA decoys and aptamers
5. Knockout CCR5 and/or CXCR4 using Zinc finger, TALENS and CRISPR gene targeted nucleases

Propelling Research

Developing the most sophisticated models and applications, we are committed to providing you with state of the art tools to advance science. Our mice and service solutions combine innovation, reliability, and commitment to customer service to offer you the most clinically-relevant mouse models and precision services. Through our industry-leading animal health and genetic stability programs, our team of study directors and mouse husbandry professionals ensures that mouse strains you receive are uniform, well-characterized, and have the highest health quality available.

All engrafted human hematopoietic stem cells used to produce humanized mice are tested and are free of HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).