Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Genes of Cryptococcus neoformans -Infected Macrophage Mouse Cells
Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Genes of Cryptococcus neoformans -Infected Macrophage Mouse Cells
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Date
2020-11-19
Authors
Frantzen, Niah
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
University Honors College Middle Tennessee State University
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), a facultative intracellular pathogen, causes
223,000 infections and 181,000 deaths yearly. When Cn comes into contact with the
alveoli of an immunocompromised individual through the inhalation of the pathogen’s
spores, immune cells such as macrophages are recruited to attack; however, Cn can infect
these cells, leading to fatal infections. During intracellular infection, the pathogen and
host can influence each other. To study the gene expression effects of Cn on
macrophages through an unbiased approach, RNA sequencing was used to identify
differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and therefore, biological pathways affected by Cn
in two different macrophage polarization states. DEGs specific to infection in the M1 or
M2 polarization state or infection regardless of polarization state were identified and
characterized by biological pathways to provide a deeper understanding of the host and
pathogen interaction, as well as host target genes that might be used to develop more
effective therapies.
Description
Keywords
College of Basic and Applied Sciences,
Macrophage,
Cryptococcus,
gene expression