Alterations in Gene Expression Show Unique Patterns in Response to Toxic Agents
Abstract
We have previously observed that various toxins produced a distinctive pattern in production of mediators of illness when using either cultures of human lymphoid cells or when using plasma and/or lymphoid cells from animal experiments. We predicted that each toxin would alter gene expression in a unique pattern. With staphylococcal enterotoxin B as a prototype, we have identified 15 genes that were altered using the powerful technique of differential display. Our preliminary data using other toxins suggests that each induces a unique pattern of alteration in gene expression. Lymphoid cells provide a readily accessible reservoir of information that can reveal direct or indirect responses to toxic agents. These data indicate the potential usefulness of establishing a library of gene expression alterations in response to a battery of threat toxic agents. This will provide a means of determining: (a) the probable course of impending illness if structural-based toxin identification was unsuccessful and (b) the presence of priming contaminants, which would make the illness more acute. Additionally, the pattern of expressed genes can lead to assessment of the expected course of illness and initiation of treatment modalities prior to onset of symptoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA410117
Entities
People
- Chanaka Mendis
- Rina Das
- Roger Neill
- Thomas Boyle
- Zhengyin Yan
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research