Interactive transcriptome analysis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 and intestinal epithelial HT-29 cells after bacterial attachment

Here, the gene expression profiles of EHEC O157:H7 and HT-29 during the attachment stage were investigated by using duplex whole transcriptome analysis. After the initial attachment (3 h), the gene regulation systems of both the EHEC O157:H7 and HT-29 host cells were immediately remodeled. A total of 326 genes of the HT-29 cells, which involved proteins associated with the detoxification process, stress response proteins, anti-apoptosis/inflammation proteins, immune response protein, and oxidative stress proteins, were differentially regulated by more than 2.0-fold during EHEC attachment. In contrast, when HT-29 was attached to EHEC the expression of 611 genes was induced and the expression of 384 genes was reduced by more than twofold when compared to RPMI 1640-grown EHEC (16.14% of the total hybridized genes). Among the genes that were classified according to biological function, the mRNA levels of the genes involved in stress response, oxidative stress, cell signaling and cell surface proteins were significantly altered after the attachment of EHEC O157:H7. Therefore, the results of this study provide crucial insight into the genetic networks that provide host cell protection and the strategy of EHEC O157:H7 pathogenesis in gastro-intestinal (GI) tracts.