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Review
. 2021 May 25;13(6):975.
doi: 10.3390/v13060975.

Experimental Methods to Study the Pathogenesis of Human Enteric RNA Viruses

Somya Aggarwal  1 , Ebrahim Hassan  1 , Megan T Baldridge  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Experimental Methods to Study the Pathogenesis of Human Enteric RNA Viruses

Somya Aggarwal et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

Every year, millions of children are infected with viruses that target the gastrointestinal tract, causing acute gastroenteritis and diarrheal illness. Indeed, approximately 700 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under five annually, with RNA viruses norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus serving as major causative pathogens. Numerous methodological advancements in recent years, including the establishment of novel cultivation systems using enteroids as well as the development of murine and other animal models of infection, have helped provide insight into many features of viral pathogenesis. However, many aspects of enteric viral infections remain elusive, demanding further study. Here, we describe the different in vitro and in vivo tools available to explore different pathophysiological attributes of human enteric RNA viruses, highlighting their advantages and limitations depending upon the question being explored. In addition, we discuss key areas and opportunities that would benefit from further methodological progress.

Keywords: gastroenteritis; human astrovirus; human enteroids; human norovirus; human rotavirus; immortalized cell lines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
In vitro methods commonly used for the study of human noroviruses (HuNoVs), rotaviruses (HRVs) and astroviruses (HAstVs). Immortalized cell lines and human intestinal enteroids have been used for the study of human enteric viruses. Modifications to cells either to facilitate infections and/or interrogate the role of host genes during infection can be performed using methods including CRISPR-Cas9-based editing, gene overexpression or silencing. Created with BioRender.com (accessed on 21 January 2021).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Animal models available for the study of HRV and HuNoV. Numerous animal models described to date support replication of HRV and HuNoV, including a variety of non-human primates as well as gnotobiotic pigs, zebrafish, and humanized mice. Created with BioRender.com (accessed on 21 January 2021).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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