Differential gene expression during meningeal-meningococcal interaction: evidence for self-defense and early release of cytokines and chemokines.
Using microarray technology, we studied the early differential expression of 3,528 genes in human meningothelial cells in response to meningococcal challenge. Thirty-two genes were up-regulated, and four were down-regulated. Those up-regulated included the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8 (but not IL-1beta) genes, suggesting that meningeal cells may be a local and early source of these cytokines. Also, a trend in up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes and down-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes was observed. This is the first evidence that meningothelial cells may mount cytoprotective responses to pathogenic bacteria.
Wells
D B
DB
Molecular Bacteriology and Immunology Group, Divisions of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
Tighe
P J
PJ
Wooldridge
K G
KG
Robinson
K
K
Ala' Aldeen
D A
DA
D018925:Chemokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008578:Meninges / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines