Establishment of Animal Intestinal Organoids to study Viral Enteritis

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is an enveloped RNA virus that infects cattle causing respiratory and enteric illnesses. BCoV infections cause economic damage to cattle farmers. Clinical syndromes associated with BCoV infections include neonatal calf diarrhea, winter dysentery with hemorrhagic diarrhea, and respiratory infections. Current management of BCoV-associated clinical syndromes involves maternal vaccinations to pass immunity to calves through colostrum. The emergence of new BCoV variants and the absence of mandated vaccination have led to significant outbreaks of BCoV in recent years. To improve animal welfare, develop better treatment strategies, and minimize economic damage caused to the cattle industry, it is critical to understand BCoV pathogenesis. In this study, we aim to develop bovine Enteroids to support the replication of BCoV and other enteric viruses in a near physiologically relevant model. This system will enable us to study in-depth viral enteritis and potentially will aid our efforts to develop novel therapeutics to manage BCoV-associated diseases and cattle viral enteritis in general.