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.
Molecular Bacteriology and Immunology Group, Divisions of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
D B
DB
Wells
P J
PJ
Tighe
K G
KG
Wooldridge
K
K
Robinson
D A
DA
Ala' Aldeen
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