Detection and analysis of differentially expressed genes in the lungs of mice with polymicrobial sepsis by cDNA microarray / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To detect the genes differentially expressed in sepsis-injured lungs and discover new genetic targets for management of sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and evaluate the role of cDNA microarray in the study of molecular pathogenesis of sepsis. Methods In a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), the gene expression patterns of the lungs of the animals in sepsis group and control group (Sham-operation ) were screened at 6 h and 12 h after CLP by using a commercially available cDNA microarray chips containing 2 201 cDNA clones. The cDNA of differentially expressed unique genes were sorted and analyzed. Results Of the 2 201 cDNA clones on the chip, 80 known unique genes had significant differential expression at 6 and/or 12 h after CLP as compared with those of mice in control group. 40 of the 80 genes were up-regulated and 40 down-regulated and they were related with a range of genetic functions, such as cell defence or immune/inflammatory reaction, acute-phase reaction or heat-shock reaction, redox regulation, cytoskeleton, cell apoptosis, cell signaling and cell metabolism etc. By functional analysis of these differentially expressed genes, some unique genes or expression patterns were interpreted in the context of septic ALI process and warrant further investigation. Conclusion cDNA microarray technique provides a powerful new tool for detecting differentially expressed genes and analyzing gene expression patterns in sepsis-injured tissues. Further study using this technique may yield great insight into the molecular pathologic mechanism of sepsis and discern new targets for therapeutic interventions.