PNAS_Transgenic_HBV_Nonhuman_Primates_Files

Infectious diseases are often species specific and difficult to model. However, with current genome editing technologies, we can tailor laboratory species for specific research applications. This work addresses a major barrier in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) research field: the lack of a translational, immunocompetent nonhuman primate model. We employed gene editing technology to insert the HBV entry receptor into the genomes of rhesus macaque embryos under a liver-specific promoter, resulting in two healthy transgenic animals. These animals express the HBV entry receptor in their livers with minimal expression in other tissues, and their primary hepatocytes are susceptible to HBV infection. These animals bridge the gap between emerging therapeutics and a physiological relevant animal for HBV research.