title: Non-invasive analysis of intestinal development in preterm and term infants using RNA-Sequencing.
abstract: The state and development of the intestinal epithelium is vital for infant health, and increased understanding in this area has been limited by an inability to directly assess epithelial cell biology in the healthy newborn intestine. To that end, we have developed a novel, noninvasive, molecular approach that utilizes next generation RNA sequencing on stool samples containing intact epithelial cells for the purpose of quantifying intestinal gene expression. We then applied this technique to compare host gene expression in healthy term and extremely preterm infants. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrate repeatable detection of human mRNA expression, and network analysis shows immune cell function and inflammation pathways to be up-regulated in preterm infants. This study provides incontrovertible evidence that whole-genome sequencing of stool-derived RNA can be used to examine the neonatal host epithelial transcriptome in infants, which opens up opportunities for sequential monitoring of gut gene expression in response to dietary or therapeutic interventions.
authors: 1] Department of Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [2] Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Jason M
authors: JM
authors: Knight
authors: 1] Department of Nutrition & Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [2] Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Laurie A
authors: LA
authors: Davidson
authors: 1] Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR [2].
authors: Damir
authors: D
authors: Herman
authors: Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors: Camilia R
authors: CR
authors: Martin
authors: 1] Department of Nutrition & Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [2] Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Jennifer S
authors: JS
authors: Goldsby
authors: Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Ivan V
authors: IV
authors: Ivanov
authors: Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.
authors: Sharon M
authors: SM
authors: Donovan
authors: 1] Department of Nutrition & Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [2] Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [3] Department of Veterinary Integrated Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Robert S
authors: RS
authors: Chapkin
mesh_terms: D005243:Feces / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020543:Proteome; D012313:RNA