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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses
Published on: November 16, 2016
Gene expression profiling of mouse host response to Listeria monocytogenes infection
Hanna H Ng1, Christopher E Frantz, Linda Rausch
1Biosciences Division, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493, USA. hanna.ng@sri.com
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate gene expression profiles in the liver and blood for prediction of infection severity from Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Mice were injected with medium broth (control) or a nonlethal or lethal dose of LM and sacrificed 6 h later. Gene expression changes were determined using Affymetrix MGU74Av2 GeneChips and confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. We identified discernable genes whose gene expression profiles can be used in pattern recognition to predict and classify samples in differently treated groups, with >or=90% accuracy in liver samples and 80% accuracy in blood at prediction; however, different genes were predictive in each tissue. Our results suggest that gene expression profiling in response to LM in mice may be able to distinguish samples in groups with varying severity of infection and provide information in finding molecular mechanisms and early biomarkers for subsequent conventional clinical endpoints.
Insights
Gene expression profiling in mice liver and blood accurately predicts Listeria monocytogenes infection severity. This method identifies distinct molecular signatures for early infection detection and understanding disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Immunology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection poses a significant health risk.
- Predicting infection severity is crucial for effective treatment and management.
- Identifying early biomarkers can improve clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gene expression profiles in liver and blood for predicting LM infection severity.
- To identify specific genes and patterns indicative of varying infection levels.
- To explore the potential of gene expression profiling as an early diagnostic tool.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to control, nonlethal, or lethal doses of LM.
- Gene expression analysis was performed using Affymetrix GeneChips.
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for confirmation.
Main Results:
- Gene expression patterns accurately classified infection severity in liver samples (>90%) and blood samples (80%).
- Distinct sets of predictive genes were identified in liver and blood tissues.
- The study successfully demonstrated the potential for pattern recognition in gene expression data.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression profiling can distinguish varying levels of LM infection severity in mice.
- This approach may reveal molecular mechanisms underlying infection.
- Identified gene expression signatures could serve as early biomarkers for clinical endpoints.
