Diverse bat organoids provide pathophysiological models for zoonotic viruses

Several viruses that cause problems for human beings originated in bats. However, cellular and tissue models for understanding virus infection in these important reservoir species are limited. Kim et al. have worked to develop alternative models for studying bat-virus interactions by obtaining cells from wild-caught insectivorous vespertilionid and rhinolophid bats (see the Perspective by Zhou and Yuen). Organoids were created from four different organs of five different species of bat. The cellular composition of the organoids was verified, and infection experiments were conducted with a range of coronaviruses and influenza A viruses, which showed intact and differentiated innate immune responses. In addition, the organoids were used successfully for virus discovery and in efficacy testing for antiviral drugs.