Generation and functional analysis of defective viral genomes during SARS-CoV-2 infection

In this study, we elucidated defective viral genome generation in SARS-CoV-2 and its relationship with host antiviral immune response. We observed DVGs ubiquitously from RNA-seq datasets of in vitro infections and autopsy lung tissues of COVID-19 patients. Gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data of primary lung epithelial cells from donors of different age groups cultured on air-liquid interface for 4-5 weeks before infected with SARS-CoV-2. Samples were collected at 2-3 timepoints post infection.