Exploring differentially expressed genes of staphylococcus aureus exposed to human tonsillar cells using RNA sequencing
Nasal colonization is well described; however, we have limited knowledge about S. aureus throat colonization. The main objective of this project was to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in S. aureus throat isolate TR145 exposed for 1 or 3 hours (h) to human tonsil epithelial cells (HTEpiC) by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and pathway analysis. We have shown the suitability of using HTEpiC as an in vitro model for investigating key determinants in S. aureus during co-incubation with the HTEpiC cells. Among the DEGs were genes encoding proteins involved in adhesion and immune evasion, as well as iron acquisition and transport. As their expression is induced upon meeting with the HTEpiC, they might be explored further for future targets for intervention to prevent either colonization or infection in the throat region. Overall design: In this study, a Staphylococcus aureus throat isolate was cultured with or without a tonsillar cell line prior to RNA sequencing to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Test samples were defined as S. aureus strains exposed to HTEpiC and control samples were defined as S. aureus without HTEpiC cells. Three independent experiments were run in triplicates. Total RNA extracted from three replicates of S. aureus TR145 grown in absence of HTEpiC cells collected at time point of 0h, 1h and 3h (bacteriaonly, control samples (C)) and three replicas of S. aureus TR145 after 1h and 3h exposure to HTEpiC cells (bacteriaVSHTEpiC, test samples (T)) were selected for RNA-seq library preparation