Global transcriptome analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi during association with human neuroglial cells

Infect Immun. 2008 Jan;76(1):298-307. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00866-07. Epub 2007 Nov 5.

Abstract

As adherence and entry of a pathogen into a host cell are key components to an infection, identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular association will provide a better understanding of a microbe's pathogenesis. We previously established an in vitro model for Borrelia burgdorferi infection of human neuroglial cells. To expand on our earlier study, we performed B. burgdorferi whole-genome expression analysis following a 20-hour infection of human neuroglial cells to identify borrelial genes that were differentially regulated during host-cell association compared with cultured Borrelia in cell-free medium. This study identifies several regulated genes, the products of which may be important mediators of cellular pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Borrelia burgdorferi / genetics*
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Multigene Family
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / microbiology*
  • Open Reading Frames