Sex-related differences in gene expression following Coxiella burnetii infection in mice: potential role of circadian rhythm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Q fever, a zoonosis due to Coxiella burnetii infection, exhibits sexual dimorphism; men are affected more frequently and severely than women for a given exposure. Here we explore whether the severity of C. burnetii infection in mice is related to differences in male and female gene expression profiles.

Methodology/principal findings

Mice were infected with C. burnetii for 24 hours, and gene expression was measured in liver cells using microarrays. Multiclass analysis identified 2,777 probes for which expression was specifically modulated by C. burnetti infection. Only 14% of the modulated genes were sex-independent, and the remaining 86% were differentially expressed in males and females. Castration of males and females showed that sex hormones were responsible fo

SUBMITTER: Textoris J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2921390 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature