GSE130714
A survey of Fusobacterium nuceatum genes modulated by host cell infection
Here we report comprehensive transcriptomic profiles from Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) under conditions that mimic the first stages of bacterial infection in a highly-differentiated adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. Our transcriptomic in vitro adenocarcinoma approach allows us to measure the expression dynamics and regulation of bacterial virulence and response factors in real time and is a novel strategy for clarifying the role of Fn infection in CRC progression. Our data shows that: (1) infection alters metabolic and functional pathways in Fn, allowing the bacterium to adapt to the host-imposed milieu; (2) infection also stimulates the expression of genes required to help induce and promote a hypoxic and inflammatory microenvironment in the host; and (3) Fn invasion occurs by a hematogenous route of infection. Our study identifies novel gene targets from Fn that are activated during invasion and which may aid in determining how this species invades and promotes disease within the human gastrointestinal tract. These invasion-specific genes may be useful as biomarkers for colorectal cancer progression in a host and could also assist in the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments (such as vaccines or small molecule drug targets), which will be able to combat infection and inflammation in the host while circumventing the potential problem of Fn tolerisation. Overall design: Examination of changes in the Fusobacterial genome when exposed to host cells and their corresponding factors.