Genome-wide expression of the epithelial layer cells of mice injected with Clostridium difficile Toxin A and B

Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB), of the pathogen Clostridium difficile, are virulence factors that cause gross pathologic changes (e.g. inflammation, secretion, and diarrhea) in the infected host, yet the molecular and cellular pathways leading to observed host responses are poorly understood. To address this gap, TcdA and/or TcdB were injected into the ceca of mice and the genome-wide transcriptional response of epithelial layer cells was examined. Bioinformatic analysis of gene expression identified sets of cooperatively expressed genes. Further analysis of inflammation associated genes revealed dynamic chemokine responses.

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D'Auria KM, Kolling GL, Donato GM, Warren CA, Gray MC, Hewlett EL, Papin JA