Originally published as Genetics Published Articles Ahead of Print on July 29, 2007.

Genetics, Vol. 177, 1125-1139, October 2007, Copyright © 2007
doi:10.1534/genetics.107.075523

Molecular Genetic Analysis of Two Loci (Ity2 and Ity3) Involved in the Host Response to Infection With Salmonella Typhimurium Using Congenic Mice and Expression Profiling

Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu*,{dagger}, Rabia Khan*,{dagger}, Serge Mostowy{dagger}, Line Larivière{dagger}, Rosalie Wilkinson{dagger}, Noémie Riendeau{dagger}, Marcel Behr{dagger} and Danielle Malo*,{dagger},{ddagger},1

* Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada and {dagger} Center for the Study of Host Resistance, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada and {ddagger} Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada

1 Corresponding author: 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room L11-144, Montreal, QC, Canada H3G 1A4.
E-mail: danielle.malo{at}mcgill.ca

Numerous genes have been identified to date that contribute to the host response to systemic Salmonella Typhimurium infection in mice. We have previously identified two loci, Ity2 and Ity3, that control survival to Salmonella infection in the wild-derived inbred MOLF/Ei mouse using a (C57BL/6J x MOLF/Ei)F2cross. We validated the existence of these two loci by creating congenic mice carrying each quantitative trait locus (QTL) in isolation. Subcongenic mice generated for each locus allowed us to define the critical intervals underlying Ity2 and Ity3. Furthermore, expression profiling was carried out with the aim of identifying differentially expressed genes within the critical intervals as potential candidate genes. Genomewide expression arrays were used to interrogate expression differences in the Ity2 congenics, leading to the identification of a new candidate gene (Havcr2, hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2). Interval-specific oligonucleotide arrays were created for Ity3, identifying one potential candidate gene (Chi3l1, chitinase 3-like 1) to be pursued further. The combination of the use of congenics in QTL confirmation and fine mapping and in the identification of candidate genes by expression profiling has been successful and represents a step toward quantitative gene(s) identification.