title: Microarray Analysis of Gene Expression Alteration in Human Middle Ear Epithelial Cells Induced by Asian Sand Dust.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the gene expression profile of Asian sand dust (ASD)-treated human middle ear epithelial cell (HMEEC) using microarray analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HMEEC was treated with ASD (400 µg/mL) and total RNA was extracted for microarray analysis. Molecular pathways among differentially expressed genes were further analyzed. For selected genes, the changes in gene expression were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,274 genes were differentially expressed by ASD. Among them, 1,138 genes were 2 folds up-regulated, whereas 136 genes were 2 folds down-regulated. Up-regulated genes were mainly involved in cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Down-regulated genes affected cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. The 10 genes including ADM, CCL5, EDN1, EGR1, FOS, GHRL, JUN, SOCS3, TNF, and TNFSF10 were identified as main modulators in up-regulated genes. A total of 11 genes including CSF3, DKK1, FOSL1, FST, TERT, MMP13, PTHLH, SPRY2, TGFBR2, THBS1, and TIMP1 acted as main components of pathway associated with 2-fold down regulated genes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified the differentially expressed genes in ASD-treated HMEEC. Our work indicates that air pollutant like ASD, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of otitis media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Young
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Go
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Moo Kyun
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Institute of Environmental Medicine for Green Chemistry, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jee Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Institute of Environmental Medicine for Green Chemistry, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Rok
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Song
keywords: Air Pollution; Asian Sand Dust; Microarray Analysis; Otitis Media; Particulate Matter