Whole-body visualization of SARS-CoV-2 biodistribution in vivo by immunoPET imaging in non-human primates

Alexandra Detrille, Steve Huvelle, Marit J. Gils, Tatiana Geara, Quentin Pascal, Jonne Snitselaar, Laetitia Bossevot, Mariangela Cavarelli, Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet, Francis Relouzat, Vanessa Contreras, Catherine Chapon, Fabien Caillé, Rogier W. Sanders, Roger Le Grand and Thibaut Naninck ()
Additional contact information
Alexandra Detrille: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Steve Huvelle: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Marit J. Gils: University of Amsterdam
Tatiana Geara: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Quentin Pascal: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Jonne Snitselaar: University of Amsterdam
Laetitia Bossevot: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Mariangela Cavarelli: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Francis Relouzat: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Vanessa Contreras: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Catherine Chapon: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Fabien Caillé: Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale Multimodale Paris-Saclay
Rogier W. Sanders: University of Amsterdam
Roger Le Grand: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Thibaut Naninck: Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused at least 780 million cases globally. While available treatments and vaccines have reduced the mortality rate, spread and evolution of the virus are ongoing processes. Despite extensive research, the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still poorly understood and requires further investigation. Routine analysis provides limited access to the tissues of patients, necessitating alternative approaches to investigate viral dissemination in the organism. We address this issue by implementing a whole-body in vivo imaging strategy to longitudinally assess the biodistribution of SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate in a COVID-19 non-human primate model that a single injection of radiolabeled [89Zr]COVA1-27-DFO human monoclonal antibody targeting a preserved epitope of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein allows longitudinal tracking of the virus by positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT). Convalescent animals exhibit a persistent [89Zr]COVA1-27-DFO PET signal in the lungs, as well as in the brain, three months following infection. This imaging approach also allows viral detection in various organs, including the airways and kidneys, of exposed animals during the acute infection phase. Overall, the technology we developed offers a comprehensive assessment of SARS-CoV-2 distribution in vivo and provides a promising approach for the non-invasive study of long-COVID pathophysiology.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58173-y

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