Burkholderia pseudomallei infection induces the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins in mouse macrophages

Background/PurposeIn this study, we addressed whether the production of apoptosis-related genes and proteins is induced in mouse macrophages infected with Burkholderia pseudomallei cells.MethodsMouse macrophages were infected with B. pseudomallei cells at 0.5 hours, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours, respectively, followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis. The amount of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, caspase -8, caspase -9, Bax, and Bcl-2) was confirmed by Western blot.ResultsAfter infection, an increase of these proteins was observed. The expression levels of other apoptosis-related genes were also determined by PCR array. Experimental results revealed that the messenger RNA levels of tumor necrosis factor ligand (e.g., tnfsf10 and tnfrs10b) and fas were increased, whereas the expression levels of some antiapoptosis genes such as Birc5, Hells, and Bnip3 were decreased.ConclusionOur study results demonstrate that the apoptosis-related genes and proteins in mouse macrophages were modulated by B. pseudomallei.