Temporal transcriptomic and microbiome changes in American bison during experimental SARS-CoV-2 challenge
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a threat to humans as well as domestic and wild animals. The variability in severity of clinical signs, the zoonotic potential, and the host-specific response to infection contribute to the persistence of circulation of disease. In wildlife species white-tailed deer have been shown to be more permissive to infection than bovids. However, amongst bovids, American bison have shown a greater susceptibility than cattle. In this study we investigate the transcriptomic response to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection in bison over time. Substantial numbers of differentially expressed genes were identified between pre- and 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection. KEGG and GO term analysis identified associations with immune response, inflammatory response, and viral infection including COVID-19. IPA analysis of the SARS coronavirus pathway highlighted differences in signaling at days 2 versus 21 post-infection. We additionally examined changes in the nasal microbiome of bison over the course of experimental infection, which suggested an increase in opportunity for secondary infection causing pathogens such as Mannheimia . Collectively this study presents a profile of bison transcriptomic response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and continues to expand our understanding of variation in host response. Summary SARS-CoV-2 remains a threat to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Among bovids, American bison show greater susceptibility than cattle. We characterized the bison transcriptomic response to experimental infection across six timepoints, identifying extensive differential gene expression associated with immune, inflammatory, and antiviral pathways. KEGG, GO, and IPA analyses revealed activation of coronavirus-related signaling and shifts between days 2 and 21. We additionally examined changes in the nasal microbiome of bison over the course of experimental infection, which suggested an increase in opportunity for secondary infection causing pathogens such as Mannheimia . The results refine understanding of host responses to SARS-CoV-2 in bison.
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BibTeX
@article{petry2026temporal,
title = {{Temporal transcriptomic and microbiome changes in American bison during experimental SARS-CoV-2 challenge}},
author = {Bruna Petry and Paola M Boggiatto and Alexandra Buckley and Eric D Cassmann and Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila and Steven C Olsen and Luis Guilherme Virgilio Fernandes and Bienvenido Tibbs-Cortes and Faith M Rahic-Seggerman and Mitchell V Palmer and Ellie J Putz},
journal = {G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkag231},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkag231},
note = {Public domain},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Temporal transcriptomic and microbiome changes in American bison during experimental SARS-CoV-2 challenge
AU - Bruna Petry
AU - Paola M Boggiatto
AU - Alexandra Buckley
AU - Eric D Cassmann
AU - Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila
AU - Steven C Olsen
AU - Luis Guilherme Virgilio Fernandes
AU - Bienvenido Tibbs-Cortes
AU - Faith M Rahic-Seggerman
AU - Mitchell V Palmer
AU - Ellie J Putz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/02
JO - G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics
DO - 10.1093/g3journal/jkag231
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkag231
AB - SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a threat to humans as well as domestic and wild animals. The variability in severity of clinical signs, the zoonotic potential, and the host-specific response to infection contribute to the persistence of circulation of disease. In wildlife species white-tailed deer have been shown to be more permissive to infection than bovids. However, amongst bovids, American bison have shown a greater susceptibility than cattle. In this study we investigate the transcriptomic response to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection in bison over time. Substantial numbers of differentially expressed genes were identified between pre- and 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection. KEGG and GO term analysis identified associations with immune response, inflammatory response, and viral infection including COVID-19. IPA analysis of the SARS coronavirus pathway highlighted differences in signaling at days 2 versus 21 post-infection. We additionally examined changes in the nasal microbiome of bison over the course of experimental infection, which suggested an increase in opportunity for secondary infection causing pathogens such as Mannheimia . Collectively this study presents a profile of bison transcriptomic response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and continues to expand our understanding of variation in host response. Summary SARS-CoV-2 remains a threat to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Among bovids, American bison show greater susceptibility than cattle. We characterized the bison transcriptomic response to experimental infection across six timepoints, identifying extensive differential gene expression associated with immune, inflammatory, and antiviral pathways. KEGG, GO, and IPA analyses revealed activation of coronavirus-related signaling and shifts between days 2 and 21. We additionally examined changes in the nasal microbiome of bison over the course of experimental infection, which suggested an increase in opportunity for secondary infection causing pathogens such as Mannheimia . The results refine understanding of host responses to SARS-CoV-2 in bison.
SN - 2160-1836
ER -