Evaluating diurnal rhythms of host responses to enteric norovirus infection in mouse models

Norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. The factors required for the life cycle and pathogenesis of norovirus in humans remain unclear. Mouse models of norovirus infection have been widely used to explore the crosstalk between norovirus and the host. The circadian clock entrains biological processes and behaviors including eating and sleeping in response to day-night cycles. How the mucosal immunity is diurnally programmed in response to norovirus infection remains largely unknown. Here, we provide procedures for preparing a murine norovirus strain CR6 and for infection in mouse models under normal day/night light cycles or jet-lag conditions. We also present procedures to quantify viral copies and antiviral response transcripts in host tissues. These protocols will help facilitate studies of norovirus infection and immunometabolic responses from the circadian perspective.