Giving the Genes a Shuffle: Using Natural Variation to Understand Host Genetic Contributions to Viral Infections

Trends Genet. 2018 Oct;34(10):777-789. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Aug 18.

Abstract

The laboratory mouse has proved an invaluable model to identify host factors that regulate the progression and outcome of virus-induced disease. The paradigm is to use single-gene knockouts in inbred mouse strains or genetic mapping studies using biparental mouse populations. However, genetic variation among these mouse strains is limited compared with the diversity seen in human populations. To address this disconnect, a multiparental mouse population has been developed to specifically dissect the multigenetic regulation of complex disease traits. The Collaborative Cross (CC) population of recombinant inbred mouse strains is a well-suited systems-genetics tool to identify susceptibility alleles that control viral and microbial infection outcomes and immune responses and to test the promise of personalized medicine.

Keywords: Collaborative Cross; genetic mapping; host factors; immune response; systems genetics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetics, Population
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains / genetics*
  • Mice, Inbred Strains / virology
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics*
  • Virus Diseases / genetics*
  • Virus Diseases / virology