Transcriptional analysis identifies key genes involved in metabolism, fibrosis/tissue repair and the immune response against Fasciola hepatica in sheep liver.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although fascioliasis has been relatively well studied, little is known about the molecular basis of this disease. This is particularly relevant, considering the very different response that sheep have to Fasciola hepatica relative to cattle. The acute phase of this disease is severe in sheep, whereas chronic fascioliasis is more common in cattle.

Methods

To begin to explore the host-response to Fasciola in sheep and improve the understanding of the host-pathogen interactions during the parasite's migration through liver parenchyma to the bile duct, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate livers from sheep infected for eight weeks compared with those from uninfected controls.

Results

This study identified 572 and 42 genes that were up- and down-regu

SUBMITTER: Alvarez Rojas CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4382932 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature