# The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center at The Jackson Laboratory

> **NIH NIH U42** · JACKSON LABORATORY · 2021 · $491,863

## Abstract

Abstract
To date, most of the research using mouse models for COVID-19 has been done using a transgenic
mouse model expressing high levels of the human ACE2gene driven by the Keratin-18(K18) promoter.
While this model has been extremely useful, it has some notable limitations: disease progression is
rapid and invariably fatal within one week, with an uncharacteristically high infection rate in the brain.
These features restrict its use to study the biology related to the acute phase of the infection, leaving a
gap in models that more accurately reflect the expression patterns and levels of the ACE2 receptor, and
that extend the disease course beyond the acute phase of infection.
We will employ a refined genetic strategy utilizing a recently published knock-in model of the human
ACE2 cDNA into the mouse Ace2 locus. By crossing these hACE2 knock-in mice with inbred
Collaborative Cross (CC) founder strains, and by characterizing the response of resulting humanized
F1 progeny to live SARS-CoV-2 infection through an established partnership with researchers at the
Trudeau Institute, we will test the hypothesis that clinical variation in COVID-19 patient response can
be more accurately modelled and phenotypically characterized in mice with naturally regulated ACE2
expression on variable genetic backgrounds.
Consistent with the aims of MMRRC parent grant to identify and distribute mouse models to the
biomedical community, this proposal aims to rapidly provide the research community with an urgently
needed resource for linking the variability in COVID-19 disease outcome with underlying host genetic
features, and for developing precision models for post infection sequelae.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400428
- **Project number:** 3U42OD010921-12S1
- **Recipient organization:** JACKSON LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cathleen M Lutz
- **Activity code:** U42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $491,863
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400428

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400428, The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center at The Jackson Laboratory (3U42OD010921-12S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400428. Licensed CC0.

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