Non-human primates (NHPs) have been used as an important model organism in virus and host interaction research for several decades. Due to their genetic proximity to humans and their sophisticated immune systems, they have provided invaluable insights into the pathogenesis and transmission of numerous viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Zika, Ebola, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), among many others.
One of the primary advantages of using NHPs in virus research is their similarity to human physiology, anatomy, and genetics. These similarities make it easier to translate relevant findings from NHP studies to humans, enabling the development of effective treatments and vaccines. NHPs are also vital to the preclinical testing of numerous vaccines and antiviral treatments to determine their efficacy and potential side effects, thus speeding up the development and approval process.
Another key advantage of using NHPs in virus and host interaction research is their sophisticated immune response to pathogens, which closely resemble those found in humans. As such, NHPs mount immune responses to viral infections that closely resemble those observed in human patients. This enables researchers to investigate how viruses evade the immune system, which is critical to developing effective antiviral treatments and vaccines, as well as advancing awareness and understanding of potential long-term organ injury that can result from virus-host interactions. Indeed, the use of NHPs in virus and host interaction research has provided critical insights into the pathogenesis and transmission of numerous viruses and has led to the development of many highly efficacious antiviral treatments and vaccines.
In this Research Topic, experts in virus and host interactions using NHP models will contribute articles to better understand the pathogenesis of infection and factors that predispose to more severe disease and/or sustained organ damage, as well as potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches.
Non-human primates (NHPs) have been used as an important model organism in virus and host interaction research for several decades. Due to their genetic proximity to humans and their sophisticated immune systems, they have provided invaluable insights into the pathogenesis and transmission of numerous viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Zika, Ebola, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), among many others.
One of the primary advantages of using NHPs in virus research is their similarity to human physiology, anatomy, and genetics. These similarities make it easier to translate relevant findings from NHP studies to humans, enabling the development of effective treatments and vaccines. NHPs are also vital to the preclinical testing of numerous vaccines and antiviral treatments to determine their efficacy and potential side effects, thus speeding up the development and approval process.
Another key advantage of using NHPs in virus and host interaction research is their sophisticated immune response to pathogens, which closely resemble those found in humans. As such, NHPs mount immune responses to viral infections that closely resemble those observed in human patients. This enables researchers to investigate how viruses evade the immune system, which is critical to developing effective antiviral treatments and vaccines, as well as advancing awareness and understanding of potential long-term organ injury that can result from virus-host interactions. Indeed, the use of NHPs in virus and host interaction research has provided critical insights into the pathogenesis and transmission of numerous viruses and has led to the development of many highly efficacious antiviral treatments and vaccines.
In this Research Topic, experts in virus and host interactions using NHP models will contribute articles to better understand the pathogenesis of infection and factors that predispose to more severe disease and/or sustained organ damage, as well as potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches.
