The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in K18-hACE2 mice is attenuated by a novel steroid-derivative in a gender-specific manner

Application of Macrophage Subtype Analysis in Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common critical illness. Supportive therapy is still the main strategy for ALI/ARDS. Macrophages are the predominant immune cells in the lungs and play a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis, regulating metabolism, and facilitating tissue repair. During ALI/ARDS, these versatile cells undergo polarization into distinct subtypes with significant variations in transcriptional profiles, developmental trajectory, phenotype, and functionality. This review discusses developments in the analysis of alveolar macrophage subtypes in the study of ALI/ARDS, and the potential value of targeting new macrophage subtypes in the diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and treatment of ALI/ARDS.

Preclinical animal models to evaluate therapeutic antiviral antibodies

Despite the availability of effective preventative vaccines and potent small-molecule antiviral drugs, effective non-toxic prophylactic and therapeutic measures are still lacking for many viruses. The use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in an antiviral context could fill this gap and provide effective virus-specific medical interventions. In order to develop these therapeutic antibodies, preclinical animal models are of utmost importance. Due to the variability in viral pathogenesis, immunity and overall characteristics, the most representative animal model for human viral infection differs between virus species. Therefore, throughout the years researchers sought to find the ideal preclinical animal model for each virus. The most used animal models in preclinical research include rodents (mice, ferrets, …) and non-human primates (macaques, chimpanzee, ….). Currently, antibodies are tested for antiviral efficacy against a variety of viruses including different hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rabies virus. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the preclinical animal models that are used for the evaluation of therapeutic antibodies for the abovementioned viruses.