Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamic in vivo using reporter-expressing viruses
Résumé
Significance To date, due to the insufficient expression level of reporter genes from previous recombinant (r)SARS-CoV-2, in which the viral open reading frame (ORF) 7a gene was replaced by reporter genes, tracking the SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamic has been challenging. Here, we engineered rSARS-CoV-2 expressing fluorescent (Venus) or luciferase (Nano luciferase) reporter genes from the viral nucleocapsid (N) locus, without deleting any viral gene. These novel reporter-expressing rSARS-CoV-2, which give a higher expression level of reporter genes, allow us to monitor SARS-CoV-2 replication dynamic both in vitro and in vivo. These new reporter-expressing rSARS-CoVs-2 represent an excellent option to assess viral replication, tropisms, and pathogenicity as well as the rapid in vivo evaluation of effective countermeasures for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.