Study of tree shrew biology and models: A booming and prosperous field for biomedical research.

Yong-Gang Yao,Li Lu,Rong-Jun Ni,Rui Bi,Ceshi Chen,Jia-Qi Chen,Eberhard Fuchs,Marina Gorbatyuk,Hao Lei,Hongli Li,Chunyu Liu,Long-Bao Lv,Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara,Michinori Kohara,Claudia Perez-Cruz,Gregor Rainer,Bao-Ci Shan,Fang Shen,An-Zhou Tang,Jing Wang,Wei Xia,Xueshan Xia,Ling Xu,Dandan Yu,Feng Zhang,Ping Zheng,Yong-Tang Zheng,Jumin Zhou,Jiang-Ning Zhou,Kunming College Of Life Science, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China ,Mental Health Center And Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China ,Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center For Mental Disorders, Chengdu, Sichuan 610044, China ,German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute Of Primate Research, Göttingen 37077, Germany ,Wuhan National Laboratory For Optoelectronics, Huazhong University Of Science And Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China ,Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan ,Department Of Microbiology And Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute Of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan ,Pharmacology Department, Cinvestav, Mexico City 07360, Mexico ,Department Of Medicine, University Of Fribourg, Fribourg Ch-1700, Switzerland ,School Of Nuclear Science And Technology, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China ,Department Of Psychology, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China ,Department Of Neurobiology, School Of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China ,School Of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China ,Institute Of Brain Science, First Affiliated Hospital Of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China ,Kunming College Of Life Science, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China ,Mental Health Center And Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China ,Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center For Mental Disorders, Chengdu, Sichuan 610044, China ,German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute Of Primate Research, Göttingen 37077, Germany ,Wuhan National Laboratory For Optoelectronics, Huazhong University Of Science And Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China ,Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan ,Department Of Microbiology And Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute Of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan ,Pharmacology Department, Cinvestav, Mexico City 07360, Mexico ,Department Of Medicine, University Of Fribourg, Fribourg Ch-1700, Switzerland ,School Of Nuclear Science And Technology, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China ,Department Of Psychology, University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China ,Department Of Neurobiology, School Of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China ,School Of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China ,Institute Of Brain Science, First Affiliated Hospital Of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China

doi:10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.199

Abstract

The tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri) has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates (NHPs) in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates. In recent years, significant advances have facilitated tree shrew studies, including the determination of the tree shrew genome, genetic manipulation using spermatogonial stem cells, viral vector-mediated gene delivery, and mapping of the tree shrew brain atlas. However, the limited availability of tree shrews globally remains a substantial challenge in the field. Additionally, determining the key questions best answered using tree shrews constitutes another difficulty. Tree shrew models have historically been used to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, myopia, and psychosocial stress-induced depression, with more recent studies focusing on developing animal models for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite these efforts, the impact of tree shrew models has not yet matched that of rodent or NHP models in biomedical research. This review summarizes the prominent advancements in tree shrew research and reflects on the key biological questions addressed using this model. We emphasize that intensive dedication and robust international collaboration are essential for achieving breakthroughs in tree shrew studies. The use of tree shrews as a unique resource is expected to gain considerable attention with the application of advanced techniques and the development of viable animal models, meeting the increasing demands of life science and biomedical research.

Full Text