Gene Expression profile of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B and Lipopolysaccharide induced human PBMCs

Abstract

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), an exotoxin produced by staphylococcal aureus, is commonly associated with food poisoning and capable of triggering flu‐like symptoms resembling those of endotoxins – such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) released from Gram‐negative bacterial cell walls. Eventhough both exhibit similar symptoms, each has its unique gene expression profile. Here we attempt to distinguish two toxins that display similar symptoms using multiple gene expression analysis techniques in a time dependent manner. Thirty genes that showed opposite expression patterns when exposed to the two toxins using micro‐array analysis were further analysed using multiple gene quantitation techniques such as RT‐PCR and real time PCR. These expression patterns were further validated by investigating the protein expression pattern. We believe that this study will not only allow us to confirm the results obtained through micro‐array experiments but also to better predict, identify and isolate varies exposures in a rapid and an accurate manner.