Transcriptomic profiling of baricitinib effects on host immune response to RVFV infection in A549 cells and organoids

This study investigates the modulatory effects of baricitinib on the host immune response to Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) infection. A549 cells and organoids were treated with 5 µM baricitinib or vehicle control prior to infection with recombinant RVFV (rRVFV) or mock treatment. Total RNA was isolated at 8 and 24 hours post-infection, and mRNA was enriched for transcriptome sequencing. We performed RNA-seq analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways affected by baricitinib treatment during RVFV infection, providing insights into potential therapeutic mechanisms of JAK inhibition in viral infections. Overall design: This study investigates the effects of baricitinib on the host immune response to Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) infection. We employed a 2×2×2×2 factorial design examining the following variables: cell system (A549 cells vs. lung organoids), treatment (5 µM baricitinib vs. vehicle control), infection status (recombinant RVFV vs. mock infection), and time point (8h vs. 24h post-infection). Each condition was performed in biological triplicate.