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A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
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Transcriptome change of Staphylococcus aureus in infected mouse liver
Hiroshi Hamamoto1, Suresh Panthee2,3, Atmika Paudel4
1Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, 359 Otsuka, Hachio-ji shi, Tokyo, 192-0395, Japan.
Communications Biology
|July 20, 2022
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus gene expression shifts during mouse liver infection, adapting to host conditions like low oxygen and immune responses. This reveals bacterial survival strategies within the host environment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen causing diverse infections.
- Understanding bacterial adaptation within the host is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo transcriptome of Staphylococcus aureus during mouse liver infection.
- To compare bacterial gene expression in the host environment versus in vitro culture.
Main Methods:
- In vivo RNA-sequencing of Staphylococcus aureus in infected mouse liver using a 2-step cell-crush method.
- Transcriptome analysis at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-infection (h.p.i.) in mice and in culture medium.
Main Results:
- Bacterial genes for anaerobic respiration and iron transport were upregulated at later infection stages (24-48 h.p.i.).
- Virulence factor gene expression varied, with hemolysins upregulated early (6 h.p.i.) but not leukotoxins or serine proteases.
- Host mouse liver showed upregulated hypoxia response genes (24-48 h.p.i.) and immune response genes (from 6 h.p.i.).
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus aureus dynamically alters its gene expression in response to the host environment, including oxygen levels and immune pressure.
- Bacterial adaptation mechanisms are evident, with distinct temporal regulation of virulence factors and metabolic pathways.
