|
|
||||||||
From the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
METHODS. A microarray analysis of normal versus postinfection (PI) day 1 BALB/c and B6 corneas was performed with a murine gene microarray. Real-time RT-PCR was used to confirm the microarray pattern selectively.
RESULTS. The 1257 regulated transcripts detected were organized into nine clusters by a self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm according to their different behavior in each mouse group. At least three groups of genes associated with a CD4+ T-cell type-1 (Th1) immune response and three clusters linked with a type-2 T-cell (Th2) response were identified. Biological categorization revealed that the cornea of B6 mice showed a dominant type-1like immune response profile, whereas BALB/c mice showed a dominant type-2like profile. In addition, expression of several genes that promote apoptosis (e.g., caspase-9) was upregulated in BALB/c mouse cornea, whereas genes with apoptosis-inhibiting activity (e.g., BCL2) were significantly upregulated in B6 mouse cornea. The infected cornea of BALB/c mice also showed increased gene expression of factors associated with matrix remodeling and tissue repair (e.g., tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase [TIMP-2] and epidermal growth factor [EGF]) and/or bacterial killing (e.g., inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]).
CONCLUSIONS. The data provide new insight into biological processes involved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis and confirm that B6 mice are Th1 and BALB/c mice are Th2 cytokine responsive to bacterial antigen early after challenge with P. aeruginosa.
The cellular response after ocular infection with P. aeruginosa is predominantly neutrophilic (polymorphonuclear neutrophils; PMN), but T-cells also have been implicated in disease pathogenesis, resulting in susceptibility (corneal perforation) in the mouse.7 In this regard, Mosmann et al.8 9 have reported that cloned murine CD4+ T helper (Th) lymphocytes could be divided into two subsets based on production of immunoregulatory cytokines. Th1 (type 1) clones produce IFN-
, IL-2, and TNF-ß (lymphotoxin), whereas Th2 (type 2) clones produce IL-4, -5, -10, and -13. Other cytokines not characterized as Th1 or Th2 type, including IL-1210 11 and -18,12 13 also contribute to immune regulation, and PMNs, macrophages (M
s), and dendritic cells (DCs)14 can produce both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Recently, it was reported that T-helper subsets are further characterized by expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors15 and Charles et al.,16 demonstrated that cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors affect the Th1-Th2 bias decision at the transition from innate to acquired immune response.
Pathogenesis studies have shown that type-1 and -2 immune responses control resistance and susceptibility to many microorganisms.17 18 Infectious,19 allergic,20 and autoimmune21 disease models have shown that type-1 and -2 immune responses can cause morbidity and death if unchecked. Nonetheless, the early molecular mechanisms underlying type-1 and -2 immunity and pathogenhost interactions remain unresolved. Studies from this laboratory have shown that after P. aeruginosa corneal infection, C57BL/6 (B6) versus BALB/c mice, characterized as type-1like or type-2like responsive to many antigens, respectively,22 are susceptible (cornea perforates), versus resistant (cornea heals).7 In the context of bacterial keratitis, the gene expression pattern of several proinflammatory mediators also has been described in P. aeruginosa corneal infection.23 24 However, the overall gene expression profile promoting susceptibility or resistance to P. aeruginosa and whether B6 mice are dominant type-1like and BALB/c mice are dominant type-2like responsive to P. aeruginosa antigens remains untested. Therefore, our goal was to compare the early transcriptional profile of the infected cornea in the two mouse groups after P. aeruginosa infection, by using microarray and real-time reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
| Materials and Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
RNA Extraction
Corneas were collected from uninfected (unwounded, normal) and PI day-1 B6 and BALB/c mice. Unwounded versus wounded corneas were analyzed because in a previous study,25 using an RNase protection assay (RPA), no difference between the two was detected in mRNA expression at 24 hours after wounding. For microarray, corneas (n = 10/group per time) were submerged in an RNA stabilization reagent (RNAlater; Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA) at 4°C until RNA extraction. Total corneal RNA from each mouse group was isolated with extraction reagent (TRIzol; Invitrogen-Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA). The quality and concentration of RNAs were determined with a bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies model 2100; Caliper Technologies Corp., Palo Alto, CA) and judged sufficient when the 28S-to-18S rRNA ratio met or exceeded 1.3. For real-time RT-PCR, corneas (n = 5/group per time) were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C until RNA extraction. Frozen corneas were homogenized in RNA extraction reagent (STAT-60; Tel-Test, Friendsville, TX), and total RNA isolated per the manufacturers instruction. RNA was treated with DNase (Qiagen Inc.) to remove genomic DNA and avoid coamplification in the real-time PCR assay,26 and the final concentration of total RNA was determined spectrophotometrically at 260 nm.
Microarray
Total RNA was amplified and labeled with biotin27 and samples hybridized as described by others.28 For microarray, a murine array (MG-U74; Affymetrix; Santa Clara, CA) was used as the manufacturer recommended. Briefly, 8 µg of total RNA was reverse transcribed to generate cDNA. After second-strand synthesis, double-stranded cDNA was used in an in vitro transcription (IVT) reaction to generate biotinylated cRNA. After purification and fragmentation, 15 µg of cRNA was used in a 300-µL hybridization mixture containing IVT controls. Approximately 200 µL of the mixture was hybridized on the mouse array chips for 16 hours at 45°C. A standard posthybridization wash was performed and images were scanned (GeneArray Scanner; Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA).
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed on computer (Microarray Suite; MicroDB, Data Mining Tool [DMT] and Netaffx software; Affymetrix). Each probe set (gene or expressed sequence tag [EST]) was monitored by 20 pairs of features that consisted of 25-mer oligonucleotides. One, perfectly complementary to the gene sequence, was considered a perfect match (PM), whereas the other identical, except for a single mismatch centrally in the oligonucleotide, was a mismatch (MM). A PM and its MM was considered a probe pair. Each probe pair in a probe set had a potential vote in determining whether the measured transcript was detected. The vote was described by the "discrimination score" (R), a property of a probe pair that describes its ability to detect its intended target. It measured the target-specific intensity difference of the probe pair (PM - MM) in relation to its overall hybridization intensity (PM + MM). The R score [R = (PM - MM)/(PM + MM)] was calculated for each probe pair and compared to a predefined threshold
, a small positive number that can be adjusted to increase or decrease sensitivity and/or specificity. The default parameter
(default, 0.015) was used, and probe pairs with R scores higher than
voted for Presence, while R scores lower than
indicated Absence. For probabilities, results below 0.04 were assigned a Present call and above 0.06 an Absent call, which indicated whether a transcript was reliably detected (Present) or not (Absent). Those transcripts that showed at least one Present call for an experimental point in all three repeats of the microarray were included. To classify the profile of gene expression, cluster analysis was performed with the microarray software (DMT 3.0; Affymetrix). This generated a subset of regulated transcripts that were organized into nine clusters based on a self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm, according to their different behavior. Biological functions were assigned on computer (Netaffx software; http://www.affymetrix.com/analysis/index.affx/ Affymetrix).
Real-Time RT-PCR
The real-time RT-PCR methods have been described.29 30 Primers for the quantitative detection of target mRNAs were designed on computer (Primer Express software; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). To minimize variation, all RNA samples from a single experiment were reverse transcribed simultaneously. For subsequent PCR amplification, a maximum of 2 µL of each cDNA sample was used per 25-µL PCR reaction. The real-time measurements were analyzed in duplicate in three independent runs, using an automated cycler (Smart Cycler System; Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). The fractional cycle number in which the amount of detected fluorescence exceeded the fixed threshold value was defined as the threshold cycle (CT). For each primer pair, the linearity of detection was confirmed to have a correlation coefficient of at least 0.98 (r2 > 0.98) over the detection area by measuring a fivefold dilution curve with RNA isolated from each mouse cornea. The multiple showing the difference in expression on PI day 1 versus normal cornea was calculated after each CT was normalized to ß-actin.
Statistical Analysis
Significance was determined with the Wilcoxon signed rank test (Affymetrix software; Santa Clara, CA) for microarray data and an unpaired student t-test (Prism; Graph Pad, San Diego, CA) for real-time RT-PCR data. P < 0.05 was considered significant, and all experiments were repeated at least twice. Representative data from a single experiment are shown.
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
receptor, CC-chemokine receptors [CCR]-2, -5, and -7) that were strongly upregulated in B6, but little changed in BALB/c mice. In cluster 4 (310 transcripts), genes (e.g., TNF-
, CD14, IL-1ß, MIP-2) were strongly upregulated in B6, but only slightly upregulated in BALB/c mice. Genes (e.g., TGF-ß-3, defensin-ß-2, BMP-4) in cluster 5 (11 transcripts) were significantly downregulated in infected versus normal B6 mouse cornea, but were little changed in the cornea of BALB/c mice. Clusters 7 to 9 represent dominant type-2 immune response genes induced after bacterial infection. These gene clusters were upregulated in the BALB/c (resistant mouse) cornea. Cluster 7 (40 transcripts) includes genes (e.g., IL-10, caspase-3, eotaxin) that were upregulated more than twofold in BALB/c mice, but only slightly changed in B6 mice. In cluster 8, a total of 347 transcripts were strongly elevated in BALB/c mice, but were unchanged in B6 mice. Th2-responding genes, such as IL-4, -5, and -13 and MCP-2 were in this cluster. Cluster 9 (52 transcripts) was the only cluster that showed gene downregulation in susceptible mice, but significant upregulation in resistant mice. Genes, such as caspase-9, TCA-3, CCR-4, and CCR-8 are examples. Of the three remaining clusters, cluster 1 (52 transcripts) included genes (e.g., MyD88) upregulated in the infected cornea of both mouse groups, whereas clusters 2 (322 transcripts) and 6 (61 transcripts) included genes (e.g., TIMP-3, defensin-ß3) downregulated in both mouse groups. Figure 4 shows multiples of change of the selected transcripts, representing the gene expression pattern of each of the nine clusters. Transcripts such as MyD88, TIMP-3, CCR-2, CD-14, TGF-ß3, defensin-ß3, IL-10, iNOS, and caspase-9 are shown to represent the gene expression pattern of clusters 1 to 9, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Organizing microarray gene expression data rely on grouping genes with similar expression patterns that can be interpreted as indication of cellular processes,31 and various techniques have evolved to monitor gene expression patterns.32 33 In our study, a computer program (DMT; Affymetrix) and an SOM algorithm revealed 1257 transcripts (nine clusters) that were distinctly changed after bacterial infection in susceptible B6 or resistant BALB/c cornea. Distinct patterns of cytokinechemokine production are also important in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory diseases.34 35 Studies have focused on genes that are differentially regulated in type-1 or -2 immune responses to explain distinct functional profiles of immunologic disorders.36
Microarray profiles of P. aeruginosa infected cornea of susceptible B6 versus resistant BALB/c mice revealed a large number of molecules known to activate and potentiate inflammation. In addition to proinflammatory molecules such as IL-1ß, TNF-
, IFN-ß, and lymphotoxin, transcripts for MIP-1
, -1ß, and -2; MCP-1; RANTES; GM-CSF; and CCR-1, -2, and -5 were expressed. MIP-1
, MIP-1ß, RANTES, and lymphotactin are chemoattractants for Th1 cells,37 but also function with IFN-
and TNF-
to generate a type-1 immune response.38 39 These data complement studies regarding cytokine mRNA expression analysis in both outbred25 and inbred B6 and BALB/c mice,40 41 42 using RPA analysis and with more recent semiquantitative RT-PCR studies.13 Although the expression level of IFN-
did not significantly change at PI day 1 versus normal B6 mice, transcripts for IL-12 and IFN-
receptors were significantly elevated, complementing our semiquantitative RT-PCR work on IL-12.43 In addition, CCR-1, -2, and -5, preferentially expressed in a type-1 immune response,44 45 were coexpressed with chemokines in the infected B6 cornea. Thus, we suggest that susceptible B6 mice that respond to many antigens in a Th1-type22 manner also initiate a dominant type-1like immune response to P. aeruginosa corneal infection. In contrast, in the infected cornea of resistant BALB/c mice, classic Th2 cytokines IL-4, -5, -10, and -13 and transcripts such as TCA-3, TARC, MCP-2, CCR4, CCR8, and iNOS were expressed at a higher level. This suggests that BALB/c mice initiate a dominant type-2 immune response to P. aeruginosa corneal infection, and the data complement previous work.7
Apoptosis is important in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections,46 47 but its role in P. aeruginosa corneal infection remains unresolved. Apoptosis is a default state for many cells such as PMN, M
, and T cells, and cell survival is contingent on cell rescue by environmental signals.48 Although apoptosis in mature PMNs is a constitutive process,49 it can be regulated by inflammatory mediators.50 51 Our microarray data revealed that the expression of several apoptosis-inhibiting related genes, including caspase-1 and -11, TNF-
, GM-CSF, IL-1ß and -6, and BCL-2, were upregulated in the P. aeruginosainfected cornea of susceptible mice, whereas genes with proapoptotic activity, including caspase-3, -8, and -9 and cytochrome c, were upregulated preferentially in the infected cornea of resistant mice. These findings imply that in B6 mice, inhibition of apoptosis may fuel inflammation, enhance susceptibility, and contribute to stromal destruction, whereas the converse occurs in BALB/c mice.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical in the innate immune response, functioning as recognition receptors for pathogen-specific molecules.52 However, the role of TLRs in P. aeruginosa keratitis is not well understood.4 Our array data showed that the expression of TLRs and related molecules including CD14, sIL-1Ra, TLR-6, and IL-18R accessory protein are significantly elevated in susceptible versus resistant mice, suggesting an important role for these molecules early in the disease response.
In conclusion, microarray analysis, combined with quantitative real-time PCR, provides a comprehensive view of the genetic events characterizing the initial development of disease in P. aeruginosa keratitis. Results provide insight regarding unappreciated mechanisms of pathogenesis and perhaps new targets for treatment of this destructive inflammatory disease.
| Footnotes |
|---|
Submitted for publication February 13, 2003; revised March 17, 2003; accepted April 1, 2003.
Disclosure: X. Huang, None; L.D. Hazlett, None
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Linda D. Hazlett, Anatomy/Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201; lhazlett{at}med.wayne.edu.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
regulates CD4+ T cell chemotaxis and indirectly enhances PMN persistence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection J Leuk Biol 70,911-919
in Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 43,419-424This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
M. Wu, S. A. McClellan, R. P. Barrett, and L. D. Hazlett {beta}-Defensin-2 Promotes Resistance against Infection with P. aeruginosa J. Immunol., February 1, 2009; 182(3): 1609 - 1616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Z. Zhou, R. P. Barrett, S. A. McClellan, Y. Zhang, E. A. Szliter, N. van Rooijen, and L. D. Hazlett Substance P Delays Apoptosis, Enhancing Keratitis after Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2008; 49(10): 4458 - 4467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. K. Swamynathan, J. Davis, and J. Piatigorsky Identification of Candidate Klf4 Target Genes Reveals the Molecular Basis of the Diverse Regulatory Roles of Klf4 in the Mouse Cornea Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., August 1, 2008; 49(8): 3360 - 3370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Kumar, L. D. Hazlett, and F.-S. X. Yu Flagellin Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Enhances Bacterial Clearance in a Murine Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Infect. Immun., January 1, 2008; 76(1): 89 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. C. Huang, R. Y. Reins, R. L. Gallo, and A. M. McDermott Cathelicidin-Deficient (Cnlp / ) Mice Show Increased Susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2007; 48(10): 4498 - 4508. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Huang, W. Du, R. P. Barrett, and L. D. Hazlett ST2 Is Essential for Th2 Responsiveness and Resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2007; 48(10): 4626 - 4633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Huang, W. Du, S. A. McClellan, R. P. Barrett, and L. D. Hazlett TLR4 Is Required for Host Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., November 1, 2006; 47(11): 4910 - 4916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Huang, L. D. Hazlett, W. Du, and R. P. Barrett SIGIRR Promotes Resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis by Down-Regulating Type-1 Immunity and IL-1R1 and TLR4 Signaling J. Immunol., July 1, 2006; 177(1): 548 - 556. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F.-S. X. Yu and L. D. Hazlett Toll-like Receptors and the Eye. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2006; 47(4): 1255 - 1263. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. A. McClellan, X. Huang, R. P. Barrett, S. Lighvani, Y. Zhang, D. Richiert, and L. D. Hazlett Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Amplifies the Immune Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Corneal Infection Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2006; 47(1): 256 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Huang, R. P. Barrett, S. A. McClellan, and L. D. Hazlett Silencing Toll-like Receptor-9 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., November 1, 2005; 46(11): 4209 - 4216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. A. K. Harvey, E. G. Romanowski, K. A. Yates, and Y. J. Gordon Adenovirus-Directed Ocular Innate Immunity: The Role of Conjunctival Defensin-like Chemokines (IP-10, I-TAC) and Phagocytic Human Defensin-{alpha} Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2005; 46(10): 3657 - 3665. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Chakravarti, F. Wu, N. Vij, L. Roberts, and S. Joyce Microarray Studies Reveal Macrophage-like Function of Stromal Keratocytes in the Cornea Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2004; 45(10): 3475 - 3484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Zhang, H. Li, J. Wang, Z. Dong, S. Mian, and F.-S. X. Yu Role of EGFR Transactivation in Preventing Apoptosis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Infected Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., August 1, 2004; 45(8): 2569 - 2576. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |