Exploring differentially expressed genes of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to human tonsillar cells using RNA...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Staphylococcus aureus commonly colonizes the nose and throat, posing a risk for infection.
• Limited understanding exists regarding S. aureus throat colonization compared to nasal colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in S. aureus during interaction with human tonsil epithelial cells (HTEpiC).
• To analyze the transcriptomic profile of S. aureus in response to host cell exposure over time.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to identify DEGs in S. aureus TR145.
• Co-culture experiments were performed using S. aureus and HTEpiC at 1 and 3-hour intervals.
• Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate RNA-seq findings.

Main Results:

• A total of 508 DEGs were identified in S. aureus upon exposure to HTEpiC.
• Genes involved in bacterial adhesion, immune evasion, and iron acquisition/transport were among the DEGs.
• Gene expression patterns varied between 1-hour and 3-hour exposure times, with some shared and some unique DEGs.

Conclusions:

• Human tonsil epithelial cells (HTEpiC) serve as a suitable in vitro model for studying S. aureus-host interactions.
• Identified DEGs, particularly those induced upon host cell contact, represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
• Further research into these DEGs could lead to strategies for preventing S. aureus colonization and infection in the throat.