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Coronavirus Studies in Nonhuman Primate Models

This page provides a curated list of coronavirus studies and reviews using nonhuman primate (NHP) models.

Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, post-acute phase, pulmonary disease, primates
Summary of Study: Study provides a detailed description of the pathogenesis of a low-passage SARS-CoV-2 isolate in two macaque species (rhesus and cynomolgus) and suggests both species represent an equally good model for COVID-19 prophylactic and therapeutic treatments.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.05.369413
Contact Info: Ernst. J. Verschoor: verschoor@bprc.nl
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.05.369413v2
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Tulane NPRC, Yerkes NPRC, New Iberia Research Center, Stanford
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, subunit nanoparticle vaccine, primates
Summary of Study: These data reveal the promising performance of several adjuvants including AS03 and CpG 1018 (with Alum), which have been used in licensed vaccines, when used in conjunction with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-NP immunogen.
References: PMID: 33594366 / doi: 10.1101/2021.02.10.430696
Contact Info: Bali Pulendran: bpulend@stanford.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.10.430696v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: California National Primate Research Center; School of Medicine, UC Davis; Vitalant Research Institute; University of Colorado School of Medicine; University of California, Irvine; and others.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, convalescent plasma, intratracheal and intranasal routes, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: While administration of convalescent plasma (CCP) did not result in a detectable reduction in virus replication in the respiratory tract, it significantly reduced lung inflammation.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.01.458520
Contact Info: Koen Van Rompay: kkvanrompay@ucdavis.edu; Michael Busch: mbusch@vitalant.org; J. Rachel Reader: rreader@ucdavis.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.01.458520v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Walter Reed Army Institute, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, NCI, BIOQUAL, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Columbia University
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, ferritin nanoparticle vaccine, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: Evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding doman ferritin nanoparticle protein vaccine (RFN), adjuvanted with a liposomal-QS21 formulation (ALFQ) elicits humoral and cellular immune responses exceeding those of current vaccines.
References: PMID: 33851155 / doi: 10.1101/2021.04.09.439166
Contact Info: Diane Bolton: dbolton@hivresearch.org; Kayvon Modjarrad: kayvon.modjarrad.cov@mail.mil
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.09.439166v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: COVAXX, United Biomedical< Inc., United BioPharma, Academic Sinica, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston National Library
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, multitope protein-peptide vaccine, immune response, toxicity, protection, guinea pigs, rats, primates
Summary of Study: The authors have developed and demonstrated proof of concept for UB-612, a novel multitope protein-peptide vaccine being rapidly advanced in clinical trials for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. Extremely high levels of neutralizing antibodies were shown and Th1 prone immune response was induced by the vaccine that protected animals, challenged by a high dose of SARS-CoV-2, without induction of immunopathology in the lungs.
References: doi: 10.1101/2020.11.30.399154
Contact Info: Chang Yi Wang: cywang@unitedbiomedical.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.30.399154v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, P.O. Box 35, Daejeon 34186, Republic of Korea
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, siRNA inhibitors, hamster and primates
Summary of Study: An siRNA targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) showed a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced fever and virus titer in the Golden Syrian hamster and rhesus macaque. These results suggest the potential for RdRp targeting siRNA as a new treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.07.190967
Contact Info: Seong Tae Jeong at birdyjeong@add.re.kr
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.07.190967v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Medicago, Inc.; Stanford University; Tulane University School of Medicine; McGill University
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, plant-derived virus-like particle vaccine, immune response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: Although a single dose of an unadjuvanted virus-like particle (VLP) bearing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccine candidate stimulated humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, booster immunization (at 28 days after prime) and adjuvants significantly improved both responses with a higher immunogenicity and protection provided by AS03 adjuvanted CoVLP.
References: doi: 10.1101.2021.05.15.444262
Contact Info: Nathalie Landry: landryn@medicago.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.15.444262v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore; Duke University Medical School
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, lung inflammation, pathology, mice and primates
Summary of Study: Widespread degranulation of mast cells (MCs) during acute and unresolved airway inflammation in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice and non-human primates supports the association of MC activation with severe COVID-19 and suggests potential strategies for intervention.
References: PMID: 34100020 / doi: 10.1101.2021.05.31.21255594
Contact Info: Ashley St. John: ashley.st.john@duke.nus.edu.sg
URL: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.31.21255594v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: NIAID/NIH; The Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, multiomics profiling, young and old animals, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: Despite similar disease outcomes, multi-omics profiling in SARS-CoV-2-infected rhesus macaques suggests that age may delay or impair the induction of anti-viral cellular immune responses and delay efficient return to immune homeostasis following acute infection.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.08.459430
Contact Info: Emmie de Wit: emmie.dewit@nih.gov
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.08.459430v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, T-cell populations, primates
Summary of Study: Results suggest that the peripheral T lymphocyte population is associated with pneumonia severity in cynomolgus monkeys experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.07.425698
Contact Info: Noriyo Nagata: nnagata@nih.go.jp
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.07.425698v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Sanofi Pasteur, GSK
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, virus genomic variants, vaccine boosters, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: One booster dose of AS03-adjuvanted CoV2 preS dTM, D614 (parental) or B.1.351 (Beta), in monovalent of bivalent formulations, significantly booster pre-existing neutralizing antibodies and elicited high and stable cross-neutralizing antibodies covering the four known SARS-CV-2 variants of concern.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.20.461023
Contact Info: Valerie Lecouturier: valerie.lecouturier@sanofi.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.20.461023v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: SUNY Upstate Medical University; Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; NIAID; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, mRNA-1273 vaccine, single-cell transcriptomic profiling, virus variants, inflammation, primates
Summary of Study: Single cell RNA sequencing analysis demonstrates that mRNA-1273 vaccination limits the development of lower respiratory tract inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 challenged rhesus macaques.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.12.24.474132
Contact Info: Robert Seder: rseder@mail.nih.gov
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.24.474132v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Westlake University, China; University of Texas, medical Branch; Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co.; China CDC; Zhengzhou University People's Hospital; Jecho Laboratories (Frederick, MD)
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, monoclonal antibody, virus genomic variants, spike protein, mice, primates
Summary of Study: This report characterizes the therapeutic antibodies specific to the tip of spike against SARS-CoV-2 and suggests the potential of antibody treatment with 2G1 to bring clinical benefit to COVID-19 patients.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.24.461616
Contact Info: Lei Han: lei.han@jechobio.com; Hua Jiang: hua.jiang@jecholabs.com; Yueqing Xie: jecholabs.com; Qiang Zhou: zhouqiang@westlake.edu.cn; Jianwei Zhu: jianweiz@sjtu.edu.cn
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.24.461616v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: pigtail macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Tulane National Primate Research Center; Tulane University School of Medicine; Florida State University; University of Texas Medical Branch, Perelman School of Medicine; and others.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, respiratory viral challenge, immune response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: SARS-CoV-2 infection of pigtail macaques recapitulates important features of COVID-19 and reveals new immune and viral dynamics and thus may serve as a useful animal model for studying pathogenesis and testing vaccines and therapeutics.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.08.28.458047
Contact Info: Nicholas Maness: nmaness@tulane.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.28.458047v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, The Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC; Utrecht University, and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, brain inflammation, longitudinal positron emission tomography, neuropathology,primates
Summary of Study: SARS-CoV-2 causes brain inflammation and Lewy bodies, a hallmark for Parkinson, after an asymptomatic infection in macaques.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.02.23.432474
Contact Info: Ingrid Philippens: philippens@bprc.nl
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.23.432474v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Rocky Mountain Laboratories/NIAID/NIH, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, T cells, immune response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: T-cells play a role in the recovery of rhesus macaques from acute SARS-CoV-2 infections, although their depletion does not induce severe disease, and T cells do not account for the natural resistance of rhesus macaques to severed COVID-19. Neither primed CD4+ or CD8+ T cells appeared critical for immunoglobulin class switching, the development of immunological memory or protection from a second infection.
References: PMID: 33821272 / doi: 10.1101/2021.04.02.438262
Contact Info: Kim Hasenkrug: khasenkrug@nih.gov
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.02.438262v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques, pigtail macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: University of Washington, UNC, Chapel Hill and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, multivalent receptor-binding domain nanoparticle vaccine, immune response, variants, mice and primates
Summary of Study: Mosaic and cocktail sarbecovirus RBD-NPs elicit broad and protective Ab responses against heterologous sarbecovirus challenge, which could represent the next generation of pan-sarbecovirus vaccines.
References: PMID: 33758839 / doi: 10.1101/2021.03.15.435528
Contact Info: Neil King: neil@ipd.uw.edu; David Veesler: dveesler@uw.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.15.435528v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Janssen Vaccines and Prevention, The Netherlands
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, adenovirus-vectored vaccine, neutralization potency, aged animals, primates
Summary of Study: The Janssen Ad26.COV2.S vaccine candidate is currently the only one evaluated as a single dose vaccination regimen in Phase 3 clinical studies. This study showed that a second vaccine dose (administered 8 weeks post the first immunization) induced a significant increase in antigen-specific binding and neutralizing antibody responses in both adult and aged rhesus macaques as compared to a single dose. These data support the initiation of a two-dose Ad26.COV2.S regimen in Phase 3 clinical trial in adults and elderly.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.17.368258
Contact Info: Roland Zahn: rzahn@its.jnj.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.17.368258v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: african green monkeys
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: City of Hope National Medical Center; Bioqual
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, vaccine efficacy, humoral and cellular immune responses, primates
Summary of Study: COH04S1, a synthetic multiantigen Modified Vaccinia Ankara-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that co-expresses spike and nucleocapsid antigens, demonstrated protection in animal models through different vaccination routes and dose regimens, complementing ongoing investigation of this multiantigen SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in clinical trials.
References: PMID: 34545366 / doi: 10.1101/2021.09.15.460487
Contact Info: Felix Wussow: fwussow@coh.org
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.15.460487v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, humoral immune response, recombinant full-length spike glycoprotein (NVX-CoV2373), primates
Summary of Study: Deep profiling of the humoral immune response in a cohort of non-human primates immunized with one or two doses of 5 or 25 ug of a stabilized recombinant full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with 50 ug Matrix-M adjuvant suggests that a single dose of may prevent disease, but that two doses may be essential to block further transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.
References: PMID: 33619473 / doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-200342/v1
Contact Info: Galit Alter: galter@mgh.harvard.edu
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7899467/pdf/nihpp-rs200342v1.pdf
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: african green monkeys
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: University of TX Medical Branch
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, convalescent sera, primates, viral load and disease pathology
Summary of Study: Groups of SARS-CoV-2 infected AGMs were treated with pooled convalescent sera containing either high or low to moderate anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers. Lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory compartments, reduced gross and histopathological lesion severity in the lungs, and reductions in several parameters associated with coagulation and inflammatory processes were observed in monkeys that received convalescent sera versus untreated controls.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.14.340091
Contact Info: Thomas Geisbert: twgeisbe@utmb.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.14.340091v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Harvard Medical School
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, AAV-based, single dose vaccine, primates
Summary of Study: Two adeno-associated viral (AAV)-based vaccine candidates demonstrate potent immunogenicity in mouse and NHP models following a single injection. Moreover, the vaccine is stable at room temperature for a least one month and is produced at high yields using established commercial manufacturing processes in the gene therapy industry.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.05.422952
Contact Info: Luk Vandenberghe: luk_vandenberghe@meei.harvard.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.05.422952v3
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: CNPRC/Vitalant
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, protective immunity, CD4 helper cells, primates
Summary of Study: vaccine promoting Th1-type Tfh responses that target the S protein may lead to protective immunity
References: doi: 10.1101/2020.07.07.191007
Contact Info: Sonny Elizaldi, UC Davis CIID
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.07.191007v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Perelman School of medicine; University of Wisconsin-Medison; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Cardiomyogen; ORRA Group, LLC; Stanford University, and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, AAV vectors, immunization, immune response, mice, primates
Summary of Study: These studies demonstrate not only that AAV6 and AAV9 can function as effective vaccine platforms, but also that vaccine can provide long-term efficacy primarily through the induction of cellular immunity.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.08.16.456441
Contact Info: Hansell Stedman: hstedman@mail.med.upenn.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.456441v1.article-metrics
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Yerkes National Primate Research Center; University of Pittsburgh; Emory University School of Medicine
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, macrophages, inflammation, mRNA analysis, kinase inhibitor, primates
Summary of Study: Multi-omic analyses of hyperacute SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques identified two populations of infiltrating macrophages as the primary orchestrators of inflammation in the lower airway that can be successfully treated with baricitinib.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.10.05.463212
Contact Info: Steven Bosinger: steven.bosinger@emory.edu; Mirko Paiardini: mirko.paiardini@emory.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.10.05.463212v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Laboratory of Virology (NIAID/NIH), Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch (NIAID/NIH), CureVac AG
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, mRNA vaccine candidate, humoral and cellular immune responses, primates
Summary of Study: A new SARS-CoV-2 S mRNA vaccine, CV07050101 was investigated in NHPs. Prime-boost vaccination of rhesus macaques with 4 ug of CV07050101 does not elicit a uniform nor robust immune response; however, vaccination using 8 ug of the same vaccine demonstrated protection.
References: PMID: 34268507 / doi: 10.1101/202.07.07.451505
Contact Info: Vincent Munster: vincent.munster@nih.gov
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.07.451505v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Scripps Research Institute; MIT; UCSD; Howard Hughes Medican Institute
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, receptor-binding domain vaccine, structural studies, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: Broadly neutralizing antibodies to an unappreciated site of conservation in the RBD in SARS-related viruses can be readily induced in rhesus macaques because of distinct properties of the naive macaque B cell repertoire that suggest prudence in the use of the macaque model in SARS vaccine evaluation and design.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.07.05.451222
Contact Info: Ian Wilson: wilson@scripps.edu; Dennis Burton: burton@scripps.edu; Raiees Andrabi: andrabi@scripps.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.05.451222v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, TLR4, trimeric spike protein binding, primates
Summary of Study: The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 functions as a potent stimulus causing TLR4 activation and sepsis related abnormal responses.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.18.423427
Contact Info: Xiangxi Wang: xiangxi@idp.ac.cn/Fuping You: fupingyou@hsc.pku.edu.cn
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.18.423427v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: ImmunityBio, Culver City, CA
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, prime and oral boost bivalent hAd5 vaccination, T-cell response, primates
Summary of Study: Treatment with bivalent hAd5S-Fusion + N-ETSD subcutaneous and oral vaccine provided complete protection of nasal and lung airways against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in rhesus macaques. Data demonstrate that all NHPs immunized with the hAD5 S-Fusion + N-ETSD vaccine generated anti-S IgG and that 9 of 10 animals showed inhibition in cPass (TM) and thus the presence of anti-S RBD neutralizing antibodies.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.08.416297
Contact Info: Patrick Soon-Shiong: patrick@nantworks.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.08.416297v3
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: University of Bern
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, airway epithelial cell (AEC) culture repository, multiple animal species
Summary of Study: Well-differentiated primary airway epithelial cell cultures were established from various domestic and wildlife animal species (including rhesus macaques) to assess the potential intermediate and spillback host reservoir spectrum of SARS-CoV-2. rhesus macaque post-mortem tracheobronchial airway tissue material. These were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2/Munchen-1.1/2020/929 isolate and monitored for viral titer for 96 hours. Infectious progeny virus were absent in most species, except rhesus macaques and cats, indicating that some species are not ideally suited as animal models in studies of SARS-CoV-2.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.10.374587
Contact Info: Ronald Dijkman: ronald.dijkman@ifik.unibe.ch
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.10.374587v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: pigtail macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington; HDT Bio; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, replicon RNA vaccine, neutralizing antibody response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: A self-amplifying replicon RNA vaccine elicits protective immunity to COVID-19 and a strong protective response even after antibody levels decreased to undetectable levels.
References: PMID: 35982677 / doi: 10.1101/2022.08.08.503239
Contact Info: Deborah Heydenburg Fuller; Jesse H. Erasmus
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.08.08.503239v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Ology Bioservices; Harvard Medical School; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; US Department of Defense; Logistics Management Institute; Washington University School of Medicine
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, antibody treatment, spike protein, protection, primates
Summary of Study: Passive transfer of two neutralizing antibodies (COV2-2130 and COV2-2381) given prophylactically -- either individually or in combination (combination designated ADM03820) by intravenous or intramuscular route conferred virological protection in a NHP model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and ADM03820 potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in vitro.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.27.462074
Contact Info: Dan Barouch: dbarouch@bidmc.harvard.edu; James Crowe: james.crowe@vumc.org
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.27.462074v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Jiangsu Rec-biotechnology Co Ltd, China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Wuhan University; Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, subunit vaccine, protective immunity, mice, primates
Summary of Study: Two-dose imunizations of ReCOV, a recombinant trimeric NTD and RBD two-component SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine adjuvanted with BFA03, provided complete protecton against challenge with SARS-CoV-2 in hACE2 transgenic mice and rhesus macaques, without observable antibody-dependent enhancement of infection.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.11.03.467182
Contact Info: Yong Liu: liuy@recbio.cn; Feng-Cai Zhu: jszfc@vip.sina.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.03.467182v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Tulane National Primate Research Center, Northwestern University, Duke University Medical Center, Tulane School of Medicine
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, monoclonal antibodies, neutralization, mucosal viral challenge, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: A combination of two mAbs demonstrated that administration of these mAbs at a range of doses achieved near-complete protection from viral replication and disease even when challenge occurred 75 days after mAb administration.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.05.26.445878
Contact Info: Chad Roy: croy@tulane.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.26.445878v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; Washington Univ., Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine, immune response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: A SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ferritin nanoparticle vaccine, co-formulated with a liposomal adjuvant, elicits broad neutralizing antibody responses that exceed those observed for other major vaccines and rapidly protects against respiratory infection and disease in the upper and lower airways and lung tissue of NHPs.
References: PMID: 33791694 / doi: 10.1101/2021.03.24.436523
Contact Info: Kayvon Modjarrad: kayvon.modjarrad.civ@mail.mil; Michael Joyce: gjoyce@eidresearch.org
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.24.436523v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: University of Tokyo, Daichi Sankyo Col, Shiga University of Medical science, and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccine candidate, immunogenicity, primates
Summary of Study: Macaques administered with LNP-mRNA targeting RBD acquired significantly high levels of protective IgG specific to SARS-CoV-2 in mucosal swab samples from conjunctiva, oral cavity, nasal cavity, trachea, bronchus, and rectum.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.03.04.433852
Contact Info: Ken Ishii: kenishii@ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Yoshihiro Kawaoka: kawaoka@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Fumihiko Takeshita: takeshita.fumihiko.aw@daiichisankyo.co.jp
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.04.433852v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques, marmosets
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, a computational pipeline, the binding affinity ACE2, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians
Summary of Study: Identifying zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2 by modeling the binding affinity between Spike receptor-binding domain and host ACE2
References: doi: 10.1101/2020.09.11.293449
Contact Info: Yang Zhang: zhng@umich.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.11.293449v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Remdesivir, mathematical models, primates
Summary of Study: Developed a mathematical model to explain why remdesivir has a greater antiviral effect on SARS CoV-2 in lung versus nasal passages in rhesus macaque
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.21.163550
Contact Info: Joshua Schiffer, jschiffe@fredhutch.org
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.21.163550v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Sanofi Pasteur
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, mRNA vaccine candidates, primates
Summary of Study: Several mRNA constructs expressing various structural conformations of S-protein were tested in  cynomolgus macaques for their capacity to elicit neutralizing antibodies. The candidate MRT5500 was shown to be immunogenic by eliciting potent neutralizing antibodies in both mice and cynomolgus macaques and is position for further development in clinical studies as a vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.14.337535
Contact Info: none listed
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.14.337535v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Tulane National Primate Research Center; New Iberia Research Center
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, male genital tract, positron emission tomography, pathogenesis, primates
Summary of Study: Results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 rapidly and efficiently infects multiple tissues of the male genital tract (MGT) early during infection in rhesus macaques.
References: PMID: 35262081 / doi: 10.1101/2022.02.25.481974
Contact Info: Thomas J. Hope: thope@northwestern.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.25.481974v2
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: NIAID; University of Plymoth, UK; The Vaccine Group Ltd, Plymouth, UK
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir, virus replication, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: Combination of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding more effectively than individual treatments in the rhesus macaque model.
References: doi: 10.1101/2022.09.03.506479
Contact Info: Heinz Feldman: vog.hin.diain@hnnamdlef
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.03.506479v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: marmosets
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Tsinghua University; Chongqing Medical University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory; Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Fudan University
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, virus variants, entry efficiency, host tropism, sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies, primates
Summary of Study: Results demonstrated that the spike protein of Kappa, Delta or B.1.618 with distinct mutations have altered their ability in utilizing ACE2 orthologs for cell entry.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.09.03.458829
Contact Info: Qiang Ding: qding@tsinghua.edu.cn
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.03.458829v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques, african green monkeys
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Tulane National Primate Research Center; Tulane University School of Medicine; Zalgen Labs, LLC., Duke University Medical Center
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, route of experimental infection, immune response, pathology, primates
Summary of Study: Lack of regenerative activity in the lung was present in both species post-resolution of most of the viral RNA, indicating the NHP model of SARS-CoV-2 infection can be utilized during anti-fibrosis therapeutic development and evaluation and has potential utility in evaluation of post-acute COVID sequelae.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.11.28.470250
Contact Info: Chad Roy: croy@tulane.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.28.470250v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: african green monkeys
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Laboratory of Virology; NIAID/NIH; University of Plymouth; The Vaccine Group, Ltd.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, intranasal infection, genome variants, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: UK B.1.1.7 infection of African green monkeys exhibits increased respiratory replication and shedding but no disease enhancement.
References: PMID: 34159332 / doi: 10.1101/2021.06.11.448134
Contact Info: Heinz Feldmann: feldmannh@niaid.nih.gov
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.11.448134v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: lemurs, lorises
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: Univ. of Calgary, Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, New York Univ., and others
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 gene and protein sequences, several species, primates
Summary of Study: Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is not equal across non-human primates. This study suggests that several clades of lemurs have a high potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As they are among the primates at highest risk of extinction globally, further understanding of their risk should be a conservation priority. All feasible actions should be taken to limit their exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
References: PMID: 33564767 / doi: 10.1101/2021.02.03.429540
Contact Info: James Higham: jhigham@nyu.edu; Amanda Melin: amanda.melin@ucalgary.ca
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429540v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, recombinant subunit vaccine, neutralization potency, aged animals, primates
Summary of Study: Authors developed a pilot scale pipeline producing a recombinant subunit vaccine (RBD-Fc Vacc) with Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2S protein fused with the Fc domain of human IgG1. This vaccine induced SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibodies in non-human primates and human ACE2 transgenic mice and is currently being assessed in randomized controlled phase I/II human clinical trials.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.29.402339
Contact Info: Yuwei Gao: gaoyuwei@gmail.com; Wenjin Wei: weiwenjin66@126.com; Zhonghu Hu: huzy67@163.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.29.402339v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Chengdu, China
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Trimer-Tag technology, neutralizing antibodies, primates
Summary of Study: Rhesus macaques immunized with adjuvanted S-Trimer were protected from SARS-CoV-2 challenge compared to vehicle controls. Trimer-Tag may be an important new platform technology for scalable production and rapid development of safe and effective subunit vaccines against current and future emerging RNA viruses.
References: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.24.311027
Contact Info: Pen Liang: liang.peng@cloverbiopharma.com
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.24.311027v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species:
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Duke University, NIAID, 3 M Company
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, receptor binding domain nanoparticle, vaccination, immune response, primates
Summary of Study: An RBD-scNP vaccine induced robust protective immunity for SARS-CoV-2 replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract. This vaccine represents a platform for producing a pancoronavirus vaccine that could prevent, rapidly temper, or extinguish the next spillover of a coronavirus into humans.
References: doi: 10.1101/2021.02.17.431492
Contact Info: Kevin Saunders: kevin.saunders@duke.edu; Barton Haynes: barton.haynes@duke.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.17.431492v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: multiple species
Year Published:
Study Type/Review: vaccine
NPRC/Institute: Duke Human Vaccine Institute
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, multimeric receptor binding domain nanoparticle, cross-neutralizing antibody, virus variants, primates
Summary of Study: This study demonstrates the ability of a SARS-CoV-2 RBD 24-mer subunit nanoparticle vaccine to elicit potent cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7. as well as SARS-related bat betaCoVs.
References: PMID: 33619494 / doi: 10.1101/2021.02.17.431492
Contact Info: Kevin Saunders: kevin.saunders@duke.edu
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.17.431492v1
Coronavirus Investigated: SARS-CoV-2
NHP Species: rhesus macaques
Year Published:
Study Type/Review:
NPRC/Institute: NIAID, NHLBI, Emory NPRC, Bioqual, Inc.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, inflammation, clonal hematopoiesis, respiratory tract, primates
Summary of Study: Findings suggest potential pathophysiological differences with or without clonal hematopoiesis upon SARS-CoV-2 infection
References: doi: 10.1101/2023.01.01.522064
Contact Info: Tae-Hoon Shin: shinlab@jejunu.ac.kr
URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.01.01.522064v1