Blood genomic profiles of exposures to Venezuelan equine encephalitis in Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphocytes provide invaluable whistle blowers of changes due to infections. We use the information registered by these cells using their mRNAs as they encounter the pathogen to develop patterns of expression that correspond to that specific pathogen.</p> <p>Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by fever and one or more of the following: severe headache, back pain, myalgias, prostration, chills, nausea, vomiting, weakness and other flu-like symptoms.</p> <p>Screening for host mRNA obtained from blood samples after exposure to VEEV may provide the means for early detection of surrogate markers of the impending illness and provide appropriate strategies for treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have been carrying out gene expression analysis of PBMC exposed to VEEV to extract signatures and diagnostic markers of early exposure to be used in non invasive blood analysis methods.</p> <p>In this study, we used high throughput gene expression analysis to identify markers of early and late exposures to VEEV in vivo in Cynomolgus macaques (<it>Macaca fascicularis</it>). We carried out cDNA microarrays and real time PCR on blood samples obtained from the NHP model resulting in a panel of host genes that are altered in response to VEEV.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Screening for host mRNA obtained from blood samples after exposure to VEEV may provide the means for early detection of surrogate markers of the impending illness and provide appropriate strategies for treatment.</p

Cluster view of gene expression profiles showing altered regulation of genes induced by VEEV in PBMC

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Blood genomic profiles of exposures to Venezuelan equine encephalitis in Cynomolgus macaques ()"</p><p>http://www.virologyj.com/content/4/1/82</p><p>Virology Journal 2007;4():82-82.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2042503.</p><p></p> Blood was collected at various time point post exposure to VEEV. RNA was isolated, hybridized to human cDNA arrays, scanned and data analyzed using Gene Spring. Red shows up regulated and green represents down regulated genes compared to control unexposed animals. Cluster analysis was performed using the Hierarchical cluster and Tree view

Expression patterns of androgen related genes: The androgen receptor and the Prostate androgen-regulated transcript 1 (PART1) were both down regulated by the VEEV in the blood of infected animals

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Blood genomic profiles of exposures to Venezuelan equine encephalitis in Cynomolgus macaques ()"</p><p>http://www.virologyj.com/content/4/1/82</p><p>Virology Journal 2007;4():82-82.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2042503.</p><p></p

Expression patterns of pro-inflammatory genes: RNA samples were isolated and hybridized on the cDNA microarray slides as detailed in materials and methods

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Blood genomic profiles of exposures to Venezuelan equine encephalitis in Cynomolgus macaques ()"</p><p>http://www.virologyj.com/content/4/1/82</p><p>Virology Journal 2007;4():82-82.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2042503.</p><p></p> Images were analyzed using GenePix 4.0 and data were analyzed using GeneSpring 7.

A comparative analysis of four selected genes using array analysis and Real-time PCR

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Blood genomic profiles of exposures to Venezuelan equine encephalitis in Cynomolgus macaques ()"</p><p>http://www.virologyj.com/content/4/1/82</p><p>Virology Journal 2007;4():82-82.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2042503.</p><p></p> RNA binding motif protein 9 and collagen, type XV, were down regulated in VEEV infected animals while programmed cell death 4 was down regulated