[NanoString nCounter]: Characterization of the transcriptional landscape of mouse lung epithelial cells treated with synergistic immunostimulatory ligands followed by MHV coronavirus infection.

They are often difficult to study due to the variability of disease as well as safety concerns related to biosafety requirements. Here, we use a BSL2-compatible murine betacoronavirus (MHV-A59) which infects multiple organs to study the respiratory phase of disease and subsequent systemic dissemination.

We asked whether inducible epithelial resistance, activated by the combination of pattern recognition receptor agonists Pam2+ODN, can limit both pulmonary infection and systemic spread of disease. Prophylactic exposure with Pam2+ODN improves survival and reduces extrapulmonary viral burden, including in the liver, consistent with limited systemic spread. Stopping the infection at the level of the lungs is associated with improved physiological outcomes and increased protection for the mice.