创制动物模型,为何不用树鼩呢?

Abstract

The Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), a squirrel-like and rat-sized mammal, has a wide distribution in Southeast Asia, South and Southwest China and has many unique characteristics that make it suitable for use as an experimental animal. There have been many studies using the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) aimed at increasing our understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms and for the modeling of human diseases and therapeutic responses. The recent release of a publicly available annotated genome sequence of the Chinese tree shrew and its genome database () has offered a solid base from which it is possible to elucidate the basic biological properties and create animal models using this species. The extensive characterization of key factors and signaling pathways in the immune and nervous systems has shown that tree shrews possess both conserved and unique features relative to primates. Hitherto, the tree shrew has been successfully used to create animal models for myopia, depression, breast cancer, alcohol-induced or non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, to name a few. The recent successful genetic manipulation of the tree shrew has opened a new avenue for the wider usage of this animal in biomedical research. In this opinion paper, I attempt to summarize the recent research advances that have used the Chinese tree shrew, with a focus on the new knowledge obtained by using the biological properties identified using the tree shrew genome, a proposal for the genome-based approach for creating animal models, and the genetic manipulation of the tree shrew. With more studies using this species and the application of cutting-edge gene editing techniques, the tree shrew will continue to be under the spot light as a viable animal model for investigating the basis of many different human diseases.

Comparative genomic analysis of Proteus spp. isolated from tree shrews indicated unexpectedly high genetic diversity

“…There are six subspecies of Tupaia belangeri in China, namely, T. belangeri gaoligongensis, T. belangeri modesta, T. belangeri yaoshanensis, T. belangeri tonquinia, T. belangeri yunalis and T. belangeri chinensis [9]. Previous studies have indicated that tree shrews are closely related to humans in genomic signature, biochemical metabolism and physiological function [10][11]. Due to its small body size, life span, short reproductive cycle and low cost of maintenance, tree shrews have been increasingly used as alternative laboratory animals in recent years.…”

Primary Tree Shrew Dermis Fibroblasts Support Lytic Replication of Human Cytomegalovirus

“…In order to overcome this limitation, a non-human cell model supporting lytic replication of this virus is critical for the mechanism study of its strict species specificity. Previous reports implied that an animal with high similarity to human has a potential to be infected by HCMV [8], and the Chinese tree shrew was proved to be genetically close to primates and useful for pathological research of several human viruses [12]. Herein, we investigated the susceptibility of primary TSDF to HCMV infection.…”

“…In recent years, the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) was found to be genetically close to primates and its genes or pathways playing a role in infectious diseases have higher identity to human [11,12]. Meanwhile, it has economical maintenance costs and a small body size.…”

“…Meanwhile, it has economical maintenance costs and a small body size. These advantages enable its application in pathological research of many human viruses including Herpes simplex virus type 1 [12,13]. For HCMV, these advantages suggest a potential susceptibility of the Chinese tree shrew to this viral infection.…”

Comparative Pathogenicity and Transmissibility of Pandemic H1N1, Avian H5N1, and Human H7N9 Influenza Viruses in Tree Shrews

“…In contrast, the unique genetic characteristics of tree shrews provide an opportunity for us to understand specific pathways mediated by the unique genes. For instance, loss of the important antiviral gene DDX58/RIG-I (retinoic acid inducible gene I) in the Chinese tree shrew has made the tree shrew a suitable animal model for studying viral infections (Fan et al, 2013;Xu et al, 2016;Yao, 2017).…”