At CD BioSciences, we understand the complexity of human herpesvirus (HHV) biology, particularly the challenges posed by latency, reactivation, tissue tropism, and immune evasion. Our Infection Modeling Platform is purpose-built to address these challenges by providing advanced, customizable systems that faithfully recapitulate HHV infections in vitro and in vivo. Leveraging our extensive experience in herpesvirus biology and host-pathogen interactions, this platform underpins our comprehensive services for evaluating antiviral agents, studying pathogenesis, and assessing immune responses in research and preclinical stages.
Platform Overview
A Foundation for Translational HHV Research
The Infection Modeling Platform at CD BioSciences is designed to support translational research and drug discovery by enabling:
- Precise modeling of acute and latent HHV infections across alpha-, beta-, and gamma-herpesviruses.
- Reactivation and co-infection models to reflect the complexities of clinical disease.
- Tissue-specific infection models using primary cells, organoids, and humanized mouse systems.
- Quantitative and qualitative readouts to monitor viral replication, gene expression, host response, and therapeutic efficacy.
Our models are optimized for key HHV species, including HSV-1/2, VZV, CMV, EBV, and KSHV, and are adaptable to customer-specific requirements.
Platform Components and Capabilities
In Vitro Infection Models
We provide well-characterized cellular systems to study HHV infection dynamics and host interactions:
- Monolayer Cultures: Human epithelial, neuronal, endothelial, and fibroblast cell lines tailored for individual HHVs.
- Co-Culture Systems: Simulate interactions between infected and uninfected cells, such as T cell–B cell or epithelial–neuronal interfaces.
- Latency & Reactivation Assays: Using primary or immortalized cell models to assess triggers and mechanisms of viral reactivation.
- 3D Organoids & Microfluidic Chips: Intestinal, neural, and skin organoids for tissue-level infection modeling and barrier assessment.
All models support time-course analysis, dose-dependent studies, and mechanistic investigations.
In Vivo Infection Models
For translational studies, we offer advanced small animal models:
- Murine Models (wild-type & immunodeficient): Widely used to evaluate infection kinetics, latency, and therapeutic efficacy.
- Humanized Mouse Models: Reconstituted with human immune cells or tissue, enabling studies of HHV immune evasion and immunotherapy.
- Latent Infection & Reactivation Models: Designed to reflect clinical patterns, particularly for CMV, EBV, and KSHV.
We provide infection monitoring via bioluminescence imaging, qPCR, histopathology, and serological assays.
Infection Monitoring & Readouts
Our platform supports multimodal, quantitative evaluation of infection and therapeutic response:
- Viral Load Quantification: qPCR, RT-qPCR, and plaque assays.
- Viral Gene Expression: RNA-Seq, reporter assays (e.g., GFP, luciferase).
- Host Response Analysis: Cytokine profiling (Luminex/ELISA), flow cytometry, single-cell RNA-seq.
- Functional Endpoints: Cell viability, apoptosis, barrier integrity (TEER), and immune cell infiltration.
These metrics enable detailed comparisons across viral strains, host backgrounds, and treatment conditions.
Applications of the Infection Modeling Platform
CD BioSciences' Infection Modeling Platform provides critical infrastructure for HHV-related R&D:
Antiviral Drug Discovery
Evaluate compound efficacy in acute and latent infection models, including:
- IC50/EC50 determination
- Time-of-addition studies
- Resistance profiling
Vaccine Evaluation
Assess immunogenicity and protective efficacy of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines via:
- Neutralizing antibody assays
- T cell activation and cytokine release
- Protection from challenge models
Pathogenesis Studies
Explore the impact of specific viral genes or host factors using gene-edited models, knockdown/knockout cells, and overexpression systems.
Biomarker Discovery
Identify host and viral biomarkers linked to disease progression or therapeutic response through transcriptomics, proteomics, and flow cytometry.
Immune Modulation & Immunotherapy
Test immunomodulatory agents, checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cell therapies in immunocompetent or humanized models.
Why Choose CD BioSciences?
- HHV-Focused Expertise
Our team has deep expertise in the biology of all major human herpesviruses, ensuring scientific rigor in model development and interpretation.
- Flexible and Customizable Systems
We tailor infection models to meet your specific virus strain, cell type, immune profile, or study objective.
- Integrated Support
We provide end-to-end services from model design to data analysis, with optional integration into our high-throughput screening or animal model platforms.
- Rigorous Quality Standards
All models are validated for reproducibility, and experiments follow GLP-like documentation practices suitable for regulatory submission packages.
- Accelerated Timelines
With ready-to-use cell lines and pre-validated animal models, we reduce the lead time for infection studies and preclinical screening.
References
- Mocarski ES, et al. Fields Virology, 6th ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013.
- Luft T, et al. "HHV-6 and KSHV latency and reactivation in vitro." Virology Journal, 2020, 17:113.
- Riva A, et al. "Three-dimensional in vitro models to study herpesvirus infection." Viruses, 2022, 14(2):236.
- Speck SH, Ganem D. "Latency and reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus." Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med, 2011, 1(1):a016097.
- Browne EP. "Humanized mouse models for studying HHV pathogenesis." Curr Opin Virol, 2023, 63:101333.