Diverse bat organoids provide pathophysiological models for zoonotic viruses.
Summary
This study establishes a multi-species, multi-organ bat organoid resource that recapitulates species- and tissue-specific replication of zoonotic viruses, enables isolation/characterization of bat-borne reoviruses and paramyxoviruses, and supports ex vivo testing of approved antivirals. It fills a critical gap for mechanistic studies and surveillance of respiratory and other bat viruses.
Key Findings
- Created a multi-species (five bat species), multi-organ (four organs) organoid panel.
- Demonstrated species- and tissue-specific replication patterns for several zoonotic viruses.
- Isolated and characterized bat-borne mammalian orthoreoviruses and paramyxoviruses using organoids.
- Tested and confirmed efficacy of known antiviral drugs against bat virus isolates ex vivo.
Clinical Implications
While preclinical, organoid-guided antiviral testing could inform rapid response to emerging bat-borne respiratory viruses and prioritize compounds for clinical evaluation.
Why It Matters
Provides a scalable experimental platform to study zoonotic respiratory viruses at the human-animal interface and to pre-test antivirals before spillover events.
Limitations
- Organoids lack full immune system components and in vivo microenvironments
- Limited number of bat species/organs may not capture full biodiversity
Future Directions
Expand species and organ coverage, integrate immune co-cultures, standardize organoid banks, and link ex vivo phenotypes to in vivo spillover risk and therapeutic efficacy.
Study Information
- Study Type
- Case series
- Research Domain
- Pathophysiology
- Evidence Level
- V - Preclinical mechanistic platform study without human clinical outcomes.
- Study Design
- OTHER