Transcriptional Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV across Syrian golden hamster brain regions and peripheral tissues at early and late time points post-infection

Here, we systemically profile transcriptional responses to SARS-CoV-2 and IAV in the Syrian golden hamster infection model at 3 and 31 days post-infection. In doing this, we are able to benchmark SARS-CoV-2-induced host-responses against those induced by IAV and highlight unique pathologies that occur in response to SARS-CoV-2 at the peak of infection and following viral clearance. Through profiling of neural (olfactory bulb, medial prefrontal cortex, thalamus, striatum, cerebellum, trigeminal ganglion) and peripheral organ (lung, heart, kidney) tissues, we are able to show that while both viruses are able to induce systemic IFN-I responses and immune activation during acute infection, SARS-CoV-2 induces a uniquely localized and persistent inflammatory phenotype in the olfactory bulb that persists out to 31 days post-infection. Overall design: RNA-sequencing of SARS-CoV-2-, IAV-, and mock-treated hamster organ tissues at 3 and 31 days-post-infection to allow differential expression analysis among infection groups and time points.