Question 1

What is the typical lead time for catalog versus custom COVID-19 mouse models from Cyagen?

Accepted Answer

Cyagen strives to provide timely delivery of its mouse models:
Catalog Models: Available for immediate shipment or within a few weeks, depending on stock availability.

Custom Models: Delivery timelines vary based on the complexity of the genetic modifications but are typically completed within 3 to 6 months.

For specific timelines and availability, please contact our support team.

Question 2

Can Cyagen’s models be used to study long-term outcomes or post-viral syndromes like long COVID?

Accepted Answer

Yes, certain Cyagen hACE2 mouse models are suitable for studying long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection:
The K18-hACE2 model has been used to investigate neurological complications and other long-term sequelae associated with COVID-19.

These models facilitate research into the mechanisms underlying long COVID and the development of potential therapeutic interventions.

Question 3

How does Cyagen ensure genetic consistency and minimize variability across animal cohorts?

Accepted Answer

Cyagen maintains rigorous quality control measures to ensure genetic consistency:
All mouse models are generated and maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions.

Genetic backgrounds are standardized, with many models available on pure C57BL/6J or BALB/c strains.

Regular genotyping and phenotypic assessments are conducted to confirm model integrity.

These practices minimize variability and ensure reproducibility in experimental outcomes.

Question 4

Are inducible or conditional hACE2 models available for tissue- or time-specific infection studies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Cyagen offers inducible and conditional hACE2 mouse models:
K18-hACE2-2A-CreERT2 Mice: Combine hACE2 expression with a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase, allowing temporal control over gene expression. This model is ideal for studying the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection at specific developmental stages or time points.

ROSA26-LSL-hACE2 Mice: Enable tissue-specific expression of hACE2 when bred with mice expressing Cre recombinase under tissue-specific promoters, facilitating targeted studies of organ-specific infection and pathology.

Question 5

What validation data does Cyagen provide to support the use of its models in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis studies?

Accepted Answer

Cyagen provides comprehensive validation data for its hACE2 mouse models, including:
Confirmation of hACE2 expression levels and tissue distribution.

Data on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including viral load measurements in various organs.

Histopathological analyses demonstrating disease progression and tissue damage post-infection.

These data sets are available upon request to support your research planning.

Question 6

How do Cyagen’s hACE2 mouse models differ in terms of viral tropism and tissue-specific expression?

Accepted Answer

Cyagen offers a diverse portfolio of hACE2 mouse models with varying expression patterns:
K18-hACE2 Mice: Express human ACE2 under the human keratin 18 promoter, leading to high expression in epithelial tissues, including the lungs and brain. This model is suitable for studying severe COVID-19 manifestations and neuroinvasion.

hACE2-All CDS-B6J Mice: Feature human ACE2 expression driven by the mouse's endogenous Ace2 regulatory elements, resulting in physiological expression patterns across multiple tissues.

ROSA26-LSL-hACE2 Mice: Contain a loxP-STOP-loxP cassette allowing for tissue-specific expression of hACE2 when crossed with Cre-expressing lines, enabling targeted studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in specific organs.

Catalog Number	Name	Base Strain	Research Application
C001891	A129 (Ifnar1 KO)	129S2/SvPasCya	Investigating the pathogenesis and developing vaccines for arboviruses such as DENV, ZIKV, YFV, and CHIKV； Studying antiviral immune responses, interferon stimulation, and JAK-STAT signaling.
C001893	AG129	129S2/SvPasCya	Investigating the pathogenesis and developing vaccines for arboviruses such as DENV, ZIKV, YFV, and CHIKV; Studying antiviral immune responses, interferon stimulation, and JAK-STAT signaling.
C001228	Ace2 KO	C57BL/6JCya	Research on Cardiovascular and Cardiac Contraction; Research on Renal Function and Colitis; Research on COVID-19 and SARS.
I001187	B6-hDPP4 (line1)	C57BL/6NCya	Development of DPP4 inhibitor therapies; Research on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection; Research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) infection.
I001188	B6-hDPP4 (line 2)	C57BL/6JCya	Development of DPP4 inhibitor therapies; Research on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection; Research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) infection.
I001189	BALB/c-hDPP4 (line 2)	BALB/cAnCya	Development of DPP4 inhibitor therapies; Research on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection; Research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) infection.
C001892	G129 (Ifngr1 KO)	129S2/SvPasCya	Investigating the pathogenesis and developing vaccines for arboviruses such as DENV, ZIKV, YFV, and CHIKV； Studying antiviral immune responses, interferon stimulation, and JAK-STAT signaling.
C001244	K18-hACE2-2A-CreERT2	C57BL/6JCya	COVID-19 and related diseases research; COVID-19 vaccine and antibody drug evaluation.
C001281	LoxP-hACE2-CDS^tm	C57BL/6NCya	Cardiovascular function research; SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism research; SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development evaluation; SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment drug screening evaluation; SARS-CoV-2 antibody drug development validation.
C001246	ROSA26-LSL-hACE2	C57BL/6JCya	Cardiovascular function research; SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism research; SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development evaluation; SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment drug screening evaluation; SARS-CoV-2 antibody drug development validation.