Gene Expression Profile in the Liver of Sheep Infected with Cystic Echinococcosis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), caused by infection with the <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> (<i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i>), represents considerable health problems in both humans and livestock. Nevertheless, the genetic program that regulates the host response to <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> infection is largely unknown. Previously, using microarray analysis, we found that the innate immunity played a vital role in the <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> defense of the intestine tissue where <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> first invaded. Subsequently, we turned our attention to investigating the molecular immune mechanism in its organ target, the liver, which is where the <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> metacestodes are established and live for very long periods. In this work, the microarray-based methodology was used to study gene expression profiles in the liver of sheep infected with <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus at</i> 8 weeks post infection, corresponding to the early cystic established phase.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 6 female-1-year-old healthy Kazakh sheep were used for the experiments. Three Kazakh sheep were orally infected with <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> eggs, and the others remained untreated and served as controls. Sheep were humanely euthanized and necropsized at 8 weeks post-infection (the early stage of cyst established). The microarray was used to detect differential hepatic gene expression between CE infection sheep and healthy controls at this time point. Real-time PCR was used to validate the microarray data.</p><p>Results</p><p>We found that <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> infection induces 153 differentially expressed genes in the livers of infected sheep compared with healthy controls. Among them, 87 genes were up-regulated, and 66 genes were notably down-regulated. Functional analysis showed that these genes were associated with three major functional categories: (a) metabolism, (b) the immune system and (c) signaling and transport. Deeper analysis indicated that complement together with other genes associated with metabolism, played important roles in the defense of <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> infection.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The present study identified genes profiling in the liver tissue of <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> infection in sheep. The expression pattern obtained here could be helpful for understanding the molecular immunity mechanisms of host responses to <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> infection. However, it is necessary to carry out further studies to evalute the role of these genes.</p></div

Primer sequence for qRT-PCR analysis of gene transcripts.

<p>Primer sequence for qRT-PCR analysis of gene transcripts.</p

Schematic diagram summarizing interaction linked to differential expression genes in the liver of sheep infected with CE.

<p>Schematic diagram summarizing interaction linked to differential expression genes in the liver of sheep infected with CE.</p

Validation of microarray data by qPCR on six randomly selected genes.

<p>Validation of microarray data by qPCR on six randomly selected genes.</p

Primer sequence for qRT-PCR analysis of gene transcripts.

<p>Primer sequence for qRT-PCR analysis of gene transcripts.</p