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High pressure effects on cellular expression profile and mRNA stability. A cDNA array analysis.

Hydrostatic pressure has a profound effect on cartilage tissue and chondrocyte metabolism. Depending on the type and magnitude of pressure various responses can occur in the cells. The mechanisms of mechanotransduction at cellular level and the events leading to specific changes in gene expression are still poorly understood. We have previously shown that induction of stress response in immortalized chondrocytes exposed to high static hydrostatic pressure increases the stability of heat shock protein 70 mRNA. In this study, our aim was to examine the effect of high pressure on gene expression profile and to study whether stabilization of mRNA molecules is a general phenomenon under this condition. For this purpose a cDNA array analysis was used to compare mRNA expression profile in pressurized vs. non-pressurized human chondrosarcoma cells (HCS 2/8). mRNA stability was analyzed using actinomycin-treated and nontreated samples collected after pressure treatment. A number of immediate-early genes, and genes regulating cell cycle and growth were up-regulated due to high pressure. Decrease in osteonectin, fibronectin, and collagen types VI and XVI mRNAs was observed. Also bikunin, cdc37 homologue and Tiam1, genes linked with hyaluronan metabolism, were down-regulated. In general, stability of down-regulated mRNA species appeared to increase. However, no increase in mRNA above control level due to stabilization was noticed in the genes available in the array. On the other hand, mRNAs of certain immediate-early genes, like c-jun, jun-B and c-myc, became destabilized under pressure treatment. Increased accumulation of mRNA on account of stabilization under high pressure conditions seems to be a tightly regulated, specific phenomenon.

Cartilage, Articular↗

Systems-wide chicken DNA microarrays, gene expression profiling, and discovery of functional genes.

The goal of our current consortium project is to launch a new era--functional genomics of poultry--by providing genomic resources [expressed sequence tags (EST) and DNA microarrays] and by examining global gene expression in target tissues of chickens. DNA microarray analysis has been a fruitful strategy for the identification of functional genes in several model organisms (i.e., human, rodents, fruit fly, etc.). We have constructed and normalized five tissue-specific or multiple-tissue chicken cDNA libraries [liver, fat, breast, and leg muscle/epiphyseal growth plate, pituitary/hypothalamus/pineal, and reproductive tract (oviduct/ovary/testes)] for high-throughput DNA sequencing of EST. DNA sequence clustering was used to build contigs of overlapping sequence and to identify unique, non-redundant EST clones (unigenes), which permitted printing of systems-wide chicken DNA microarrays. One of the most promising genetic resources for gene exploration and functional gene mapping is provided by two sets of experimental lines of broiler-type chickens developed at INRA, France, by divergent selection for extremes in growth traits (fast-growing versus slow-growing; fatness versus leanness at a similar growth rate). We are using DNA microarrays for global gene expression profiling to identify candidate genes and to map growth, metabolic, and regulatory pathways that control important production traits. Candidate genes will be used for functional gene mapping and QTL analysis of F2 progeny from intercrosses made between divergent genetic lines (fat x lean lines; fast-growing x slow-growing lines). Using our first chicken liver microarray, we have already identified several interesting differentially expressed genes in commercial broilers and in divergently selected broiler lines. Many of these candidate genes are involved in the lipogenic pathway and are controlled in part by the thyrotropic axis. Thus, genome-wide transcriptional profiling is a powerful tool used to visualize the cascade of genetic circuits that govern complex biological responses. Global gene expression profiling and QTL scans should enable us to functionally map the genetic pathways that control growth, development, and metabolism of chickens. This emerging technology will have broad applications for poultry breeding programs (i.e., use of molecular markers) and for future production systems (i.e., the health and welfare of birds and the quality of poultry products).

Animal Husbandry↗

MicroRNA expression detected by oligonucleotide microarrays: system establishment and expression profiling in human tissues.

MicroRNAs (MIRs) are a novel group of conserved short approximately 22 nucleotide-long RNAs with important roles in regulating gene expression. We have established a MIR-specific oligonucleotide microarray system that enables efficient analysis of the expression of the human MIRs identified so far. We show that the 60-mer oligonucleotide probes on the microarrays hybridize with labeled cRNA of MIRs, but not with their precursor hairpin RNAs, derived from amplified, size-fractionated, total RNA of human origin. Signal intensity is related to the location of the MIR sequences within the 60-mer probes, with location at the 5' region giving the highest signals, and at the 3' end, giving the lowest signals. Accordingly, 60-mer probes harboring one MIR copy at the 5' end gave signals of similar intensity to probes containing two or three MIR copies. Mismatch analysis shows that mutations within the MIR sequence significantly reduce or eliminate the signal, suggesting that the observed signals faithfully reflect the abundance of matching MIRs in the labeled cRNA. Expression profiling of 150 MIRs in five human tissues and in HeLa cells revealed a good overall concordance with previously published results, but also with some differences. We present novel data on MIR expression in thymus, testes, and placenta, and have identified MIRs highly enriched in these tissues. Taken together, these results highlight the increased sensitivity of the DNA microarray over other methods for the detection and study of MIRs, and the immense potential in applying such microarrays for the study of MIRs in health and disease.

Base Sequence↗

Expression profiling identifies chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 as an independent prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastric cancer is one of the major cancers worldwide. Expression profiling has proven useful in delineating novel prognostic markers in various cancer types. We previously analyzed gene-expression patterns in 90 gastric adenocarcinomas by using complementary DNA microarrays and prioritized a list of genes whose expression levels predict patient outcome. METHODS: We identified a specific gene of interest, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18), on the basis of a high absolute standardized log Cox hazard ratio, a high variance in expression among all tumor samples, and putative biologic function. Detailed analysis of CCL18 expression with clinicopathologic and survival data was performed (n = 89). Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to verify the microarray expression data and was further applied to analyze an independent cohort of tumor samples (n = 59). The cellular source of CCL18 was determined with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: High CCL18 expression levels were associated with prolonged overall (P = 0.001; hazard ratio, 0.586) and disease-free (P = 0.002; hazard ratio, 0.416) patient survival in the array-based data set by univariate analysis. The observations were confirmed in an independent set of 59 patients by using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. In multivariate analysis, tumor stage and CCL18 levels were independent prognostic factors for predicting both overall and disease-free survival. We found that CCL18 was expressed by a subpopulation of tumor-associated macrophages that were preferentially located at the tumor invasion front. CONCLUSIONS: Macrophage-derived CCL18 may function as a local antitumor immunomodulator that affects patient outcome. Our study suggests CCL18 as a novel candidate for antitumor therapeutics and risk stratification in gastric cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gene expression profiling identifies molecular subtypes of inflammatory breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Comprehensive gene expression profiles obtained using DNA microarrays have revealed previously indistinguishable subtypes of noninflammatory breast cancer (NIBC) related to different features of mammary epithelial biology and significantly associated with survival. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, particular, and aggressive form of disease. Here we have investigated whether the five molecular subtypes described for NIBC (luminal A and B, basal, ERBB2 overexpressing, and normal breast-like) were also present in IBC. We monitored the RNA expression of approximately 8,000 genes in 83 breast tissue samples including 37 IBC, 44 NIBC, and 2 normal breast samples. Hierarchical clustering identified the five subtypes of breast cancer in both NIBC and IBC samples. These subtypes were highly similar to those defined in previous studies and associated with similar histoclinical features. The robustness of this classification was confirmed by the use of both alternative gene set and analysis method, and the results were corroborated at the protein level. Furthermore, we show that the differences in gene expression between NIBC and IBC and between IBC with and without pathologic complete response that we have recently reported persist in each subtype. Our results show that the expression signatures defining molecular subtypes of NIBC are also present in IBC. Obtained using different patient series and different microarray platforms, they reinforce confidence in the expression-based molecular taxonomy but also give evidence for its universality in breast cancer, independently of a specific clinical form.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A comprehensive approach for establishment of the platform to analyze functions of KIAA proteins II: public release of inaugural version of InGaP database containing gene/protein expression profiles for 127 mouse KIAA genes/proteins.

The inaugural version of the InGaP database (Integrative Gene and Protein expression database; http://www.kazusa.or.jp/ingap/index.html) is a comprehensive database of gene/protein expression profiles of 127 mKIAA genes/proteins related to hypothetical ones obtained in our ongoing cDNA project. Information about each gene/protein consists of cDNA microarray analysis, subcellular localization of the ectopically expressed gene, and experimental data using anti-mKIAA antibody such as Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. KIAA cDNAs and their mouse counterparts, mKIAA cDNAs, were mainly isolated from cDNA libraries derived from brain tissues, thus we expect our database to contribute to the field of neuroscience. In fact, cDNA microarray analysis revealed that nearly half of our gene collection is predominantly expressed in brain tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of the mouse brain provides functional insight into the specific area and/or cell type of the brain. This database will be a resource for the neuroscience community by seamlessly integrating the genomic and proteomic information about the mouse KIAA genes/proteins.

Animals↗

Prostanoid receptor gene expression profile in human trabecular meshwork: a quantitative real-time PCR approach.

PURPOSE: To assess the expression pattern of prostanoid receptor-encoding genes in trabecular meshwork (TM) of human donor eyes. METHODS: Disposed human donor eyes (n = 10) were obtained from the Cornea Bank, Amsterdam. The TM was dissected from the scleral tissue and homogenized in lysis buffer, and total RNA was isolated. The RNA was converted into cDNA and used as a template for noncompetitive quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using green fluorescent dye to quantify the accumulation of double-stranded PCR product. Specific primers for four housekeeping genes and DP, EP(1), EP(2), EP(3,) EP(4), FP, IP, and TP receptor-encoding transcripts were developed and tested for their efficiency. RESULTS: The characterized expression profile was highly reproducible in all samples, with the EP(2) receptor-encoding transcript in the highest abundance, followed by FP, TP, IP, and EP(4) at levels that were approximately 10 to 15 times lower than that of the EP(2) subtype. DP and EP(3) were at the lowest levels, which were, on average, 45 times and 228 times lower than EP(2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that all prostanoid receptors are expressed at different levels in human TM tissue. Because the gene expression of the EP(2) receptor is, on average, 15 times more abundant than that of the EP(4) receptor, it may be expected that the increase in flow and cAMP levels in response to the activation of the EP receptors by application of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)), is primarily mediated by the EP(2) receptor. These data should be considered when designing prostanoid receptor mimetics intended to enhance the aqueous humor outflow through the TM and Schlemm's canal.

Actins↗

Protein expression profiling of glutathione S-transferase pi null mice as a strategy to identify potential markers of resistance to paracetamol-induced toxicity in the liver.

GST pi (GSTP) is a member of the glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18; GST) family of enzymes that catalyse the conjugation of electrophilic species with reduced glutathione and thus play an important role in the detoxification of electrophilic metabolites. Deletion of GSTP in mice has previously been shown to lead to enhanced susceptibility to chemical-induced skin carcinoma, consistent with its known metabolic functions. A decreased susceptibility to paracetamol hepatotoxicity has also been observed, which has not been fully explained. One possibility is that deletion of the GSTP gene locus results in compensatory changes in other proteins involved in defence against chemical stress. We have therefore used complementary protein expression profiling techniques to perform a systematic comparison of the protein expression profiles of livers from GSTP null and wild-type mice. Analysis of liver proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis confirmed the absence of GSTP in null mice whereas GSTP represented 3-5% of soluble protein in livers from wild-type animals. There was a high degree of quantitative and qualitative similarity in other liver proteins between GSTP null and wild-type mice. There was no evidence that the absence of GSTP in null animals resulted in enhanced expression of other GST isoforms in the null mice (GST alpha, 1.48%, GST mu, 1.68% of resolved proteins) compared with the wild-type animals (GST alpha, 1.50%, GST mu, 1.40%). In contrast, some members of the thiol specific antioxidant family of proteins, notably antioxidant protein 2 and thioredoxin peroxidases, were expressed at a higher level in the GSTP null mouse livers. These changes presumably reflect the recently described role of GSTP in cell signalling and may underlie the protection against paracetamol toxicity seen in these animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dynamic gene expression profiling using a microfabricated living cell array.

We describe the development of a microfluidic platform for continuous monitoring of gene expression in live cells. This optically transparent microfluidic device integrates high-throughput molecular stimulation with nondestructive monitoring of expression events in individual living cells, hence, a living cell array (LCA). Several concentrations of a soluble molecular stimulus are generated in an upstream microfluidic network and used to stimulate downstream reporter cells, each containing a green fluorescence reporter plasmid for a gene of interest. Cellular fluorescence is continuously monitored and quantified to infer the expression dynamics of the gene being studied. We demonstrate this approach by profiling the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB in HeLa S3 cells in response to varying doses of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. The LCA platform offers a unique opportunity to simultaneously control dynamic inputs and measure dynamic outputs from adherent mammalian cells in a high-throughput fashion. This approach to profiling expression dynamics, in conjunction with complementary techniques such as DNA microarrays, will help provide a more complete picture of the dynamic cellular response to diverse soluble stimuli.

Gene Expression Profiling↗

MLL translocations specify a distinct gene expression profile that distinguishes a unique leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemias carrying a chromosomal translocation involving the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL, ALL1, HRX) have a particularly poor prognosis. Here we show that they have a characteristic, highly distinct gene expression profile that is consistent with an early hematopoietic progenitor expressing select multilineage markers and individual HOX genes. Clustering algorithms reveal that lymphoblastic leukemias with MLL translocations can clearly be separated from conventional acute lymphoblastic and acute myelogenous leukemias. We propose that they constitute a distinct disease, denoted here as MLL, and show that the differences in gene expression are robust enough to classify leukemias correctly as MLL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myelogenous leukemia. Establishing that MLL is a unique entity is critical, as it mandates the examination of selectively expressed genes for urgently needed molecular targets.

Acute Disease↗

Expression profile of the copper homeostasis gene, rAtox1, in the rat brain.

In humans the regulation of cellular copper homeostasis is essential for proper organ development and function. A novel cytosolic protein, named Atox 1, was recently identified in yeast that functions in shuttling intracellular mononuclear copper [Cu(I)] to copper-requiring proteins. Atox 1 and its human homolog, hAtox1, are members of an emerging family of proteins termed copper chaperones that are involved in the maintenance of copper homeostasis. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that Atox 1 is widely expressed at varying levels in a variety of rat tissues including brain. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, we characterized the expression profile for the rat homolog of Atox1 (rAtox1) in the normal adult rat brain. There is widespread expression within the brain that appears to be primarily neuronal. The highest levels of Atox1 message consists of distinct neuronal subtypes that are also characterized by their high levels of metals like copper, iron, and zinc, which include the pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in addition to the neurons of the locus coeruleus. The high levels of a metal chaperone like Atox1 in subsets of neurons that also sequester metals suggests that Atox1 may be important in maintaining the functionality of metal requiring enzymes. A detailed analysis of the restricted expression profile for a novel copper chaperone, rAtox1, is described in the adult rat CNS. Further analysis shows that Atoxl expression is associated with neuronal populations that sequester copper.

Animals↗

Gene expression profiling of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with cDNA microarrays.

Several forms of human sarcoma, lymphoma, and leukemia are characterized by somatically acquired chromosome translocations that result in fusion genes that encode chimeric transcription factors with oncogenic properties. We have used cDNA microarrays containing 1238 cDNAs to investigate the gene expression profile of a group of seven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) cell lines characterized by the presence of the PAX3-FKHR fusion gene. Using the method of multidimensional scaling to represent the relationships among the cell lines in two-dimensional Euclidean space, we determined that ARMS cells show a consistent pattern of gene expression, which allows the cells to be clustered together. By searching across the seven ARMS cell lines, we found that 37 of 1238 genes were most consistently expressed in ARMS relative to a reference cell line. Only three of these genes have been previously reported to be expressed in ARMS. Among these 37 were genes related to both primary (PAX3-FKHR) and secondary (CDK4) genetic alterations in ARMS. These results in ARMS demonstrate the potential of cDNA microarray technology to elucidate tumor-specific gene expression profiles in human cancers.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13↗

[Analysis of gene expression profile in lung adenocarcinoma, tumor adjacent tissue and fetal lung tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene expression profiles in lung adenocarcinoma (LA), tumor adjacent tissue (TAT) and fetal lung tissue (FLT) by cDNA microarray technique. METHODS: Total RNA from LA, TAT and FLT was extracted and purified. The cDNA was made by RT-PCR, and then labeled with Cy5 and Cy3 fluorescence as probes which were hybridized with the whole gene chips. Subsequently, the signal images were scanned by ScanArray 4000 fluorescence scanner and analyzed by Gene Pix PRO3.0. RESULTS: In 4 cases with LA and TAT, 25 genes were screened out for differences in gene expression level, among which 3 were upregulated and 22 downregulated; in FLT and TAT cases, 316 genes were screened out, among which 192 were upregulated and 124 downregulated; 16 genes were found to be differentially expressed genes in common in LA, TAT and FLT, among which 12 were upregulated and 4 downregulated. CONCLUSION: The 25 differentially expressed genes in LA and TAT may be related to occurrence and development of lung cancer, while the 316 genes in FLT and TAT may be related to fetal developmental. The 16 differentially expressed genes may be related to the initiation of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Expression profile of immune response genes in patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) emerged in later February 2003, as a new epidemic form of life-threatening infection caused by a novel coronavirus. However, the immune-pathogenesis of SARS is poorly understood. To understand the host response to this pathogen, we investigated the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from SARS patients, and compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: The number of differentially expressed genes was found to be 186 under stringent filtering criteria of microarray data analysis. Several genes were highly up-regulated in patients with SARS, such as, the genes coding for Lactoferrin, S100A9 and Lipocalin 2. The real-time PCR method verified the results of the gene array analysis and showed that those genes that were up-regulated as determined by microarray analysis were also found to be comparatively up-regulated by real-time PCR analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This differential gene expression profiling of PBMCs from patients with SARS strongly suggests that the response of SARS affected patients seems to be mainly an innate inflammatory response, rather than a specific immune response against a viral infection, as we observed a complete lack of cytokine genes usually triggered during a viral infection. Our study shows for the first time how the immune system responds to the SARS infection, and opens new possibilities for designing new diagnostics and treatments for this new life-threatening disease.

Antigens, Viral↗

Expression profile of 30,000 genes in rat hippocampus using SAGE.

Using the serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) method, we generated a gene expression profile of the rat hippocampus. A total of 76,790 SAGE tags was analyzed, allowing identification of 28,748 different tag species, each representing a unique mRNA transcript. The tags were divided into different abundancy classes, ranging from tags that were detected over 500 times to tags encountered only once in the 76,790 tags analyzed. The mRNA species detected more than 50 times represented 0.3% of the total number of unique tags while accounting for 22% of the total hippocampal mRNA mass. The majority of tags were encountered 5 times or less. The genes expressed at the highest levels were of mitochondrial origin, consistent with a high requirement for energy in neuronal tissue. At a lower level of expression, several neuron-specific transcripts were encountered, encoding various neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and turnover, ion channels and pumps, and synaptic components. Comparison of relative expression levels demonstrated that glutamate receptors are the most frequent neurotransmitter receptors expressed in the hippocampus, consistent with the important role of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus, while GABA receptors were present at approximately 10-fold lower levels. Several kinases were present including CaMKII, which was expressed at high levels, consistent with its being the most abundant protein in the spines of hippocampal pyramidal cells. This is the first extensive inventory of gene expression in the hippocampus and serves as a reference for future studies aimed at elucidating hippocampal transcriptional responses under various conditions.

Animals↗

The gene expression profile of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a soft tissue tumour that occurs primarily in the extremities and is characterized by a balanced translocation most commonly involving t(9;22) (q22;q12). The morphological spectrum of EMC is broad and thus a diagnosis based on histology alone can be difficult. Currently, no systemic therapy exists that improves survival in patients with EMC. In the present study, gene expression profiling has been performed to discover new diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for this tumour type. Global gene expression profiling of ten EMCs and 26 other sarcomas using 42,000 spot cDNA microarrays revealed that the cases of EMC were closely related to each other and distinct from the other tumours profiled. Significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) identified 86 genes that distinguished EMC from the other sarcomas with 0.25% likelihood of false significance. NMB, DKK1, DNER, CLCN3, and DEF6 were the top five genes in this analysis. In situ hybridization for NMB gene expression on tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing a total of 1164 specimens representing 62 different sarcoma types and 15 different carcinoma types showed that NMB was highly expressed in 17 of 22 EMC cases and very rarely expressed in other tumours and thus could function as a novel diagnostic marker. High levels of expression of PPARG and the gene encoding its interacting protein, PPARGC1A, in most EMCs suggest activation of lipid metabolism pathways in this tumour. Small molecule inhibitors for PPARG exist and PPARG could be a potential therapeutic target for EMC.

Adult↗

[Gene expression profiling of microvascular endothelial cells during capillary morphogenesis in an in vitro model of angiogenesis].

OBJECTIVE: To globally compare the gene expression profiles during the capillary morphogenesis of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) in an in vitro angiogenesis system with Affymetrix oligonucleotide array. METHODS: A microcarrier-based in vitro angiogenesis system was developed, in which endothelial cells (ECs) migrated into the matrix, proliferated, and formed capillary sprouts. The sprouts elongated, branched and formed network. The total RNA samples from the HMVECs at the selected time points (0.5 h, 24 h, and 72 h) during the capillary morphogenesis were used for microarray analyses, and the data were processed with the software provided by the manufactory. The expression patterns of some genes were validated and confirmed by Semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The regulated genes were grouped based on their molecular functions and expression patterns, and among them the expression of chemokines/chemokine receptors were specially examined and their functional implications were analyzed. RESULTS: About 1500 genes were found up- or down- regulated 2-folds or above detected by the arrays, and among them, about 400 genes regulated 3-folds or above. The regulated genes could be grouped into categories based on their molecular functions such as growth factor and receptor, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix, cell cycle and apoptosis, signaling molecule and transcription factor, and so on, using the Gene Ontology Mining Tool in The NetAffx Analysis Center. The regulated genes were also clustered into six groups based on their patterns of expression. As for chemokines, the CCL2/MCP-1, CCL5/RANTES and CX3CL1 were identified to be specially upregulated at 24 h time point when the sprouting characterized the morphological change. It was thus suggested that they might exert crucial roles at the early stage of angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our angiogenesis model, and by oligonucleotide arrays, the present study demonstrates global profiles of the gene expression during endothelial capillary morphogenesis, and the results provide us much information about the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, with which further evaluation of individual genes can be encouraged.

Capillaries↗

Interaction of bifidobacteria with Caco-2 cells-adhesion and impact on expression profiles.

The aim of the present study was to study different strains of bifidobacteria for adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and to test for the mRNA response of these cells following interaction with bifidobacteria. Adhesion was tested at different pH conditions using model epithelia consisting of transwell cultures of fully differentiated Caco-2 cells. Microarrays were used to characterize changes in global expression profiles of Caco-2 cells co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and challenged with non-pathogenic Escherichia coli D2241 or four different strains of bifidobacteria. Furthermore, cytokine mRNA of IECs in responses to challenge with Bifidobacterium bifidum S17 or E. coli D2241 was tested in PBMC-sensitised Caco-2 cells using RT-PCR. Bifidobacteria showed strain-specific adhesion to Caco-2. Shift of apical pH from 7 to 4.5 resulted in strain-specific changes of adhesion. Global expression profiles of PBMC-sensitised Caco-2 cells revealed differential expression of a significant number of genes only after challenge with E. coli D2241 while cells were essentially unresponsive to challenge with four strains of bifidobacteria showing different adhesion properties. Using a RT-PCR approach, in the same system a similar differential expression after challenge with E. coli D2241 or B. bifidum S17 was observed for various immune markers. The presented results suggest that Caco-2 cells might be specifically unresponsive to challenge with bifidobacteria irrespective of the level of adhesion.

Bacterial Adhesion↗