Enteric viruses evoke broad host immune responses resembling those elicited by the bacterial microbiome

The contributions of the viral component of the microbiome-the virome-to the development of innate and adaptive immunity are largely unknown. Here, we systematically defined the host response in mice to a panel of eukaryotic enteric viruses representing six different families. Infections with most of these viruses were asymptomatic in the mice, the magnitude and duration of which was dependent on the microbiota, Flow cytometric and transcriptional profiling of mice mono-associated with these viruses unveiled general adaptations by the host, such as lymphocyte differentiation and IL-22 signatures in the intestine, as well as numerous viral-strain-specific responses that persisted. Comparison with a dataset derived from analogous bacterial mono-association in mice identified bacterial species that evoke an immune response comparable with the viruses we examined. These results expand an understanding of the immune space occupied by the enteric virome and underscore the importance of viral exposure events.

Automated summary

The study systematically defined the host response in mice to a panel of eukaryotic enteric viruses from six different families, revealing that most infections were asymptomatic in the mice but varied in magnitude and duration based on the microbiota. Flow cytometric and transcriptional profiling uncovered general adaptations by the host, such as lymphocyte differentiation and IL-22 signatures in the intestine, as well as numerous viral-strain-specific responses. Comparison with bacterial mono-associations identified bacterial species that induce immune responses similar to the viruses examined, emphasizing the importance of viral exposure events in the immune space occupied by the enteric virome.