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

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)F2 cross. We validated the existence of these two loci by creating congenic mice carrying each 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. Genome wide expression arrays were used to interrogate expression differences in the Ity2 congenics, leading to the identification of a new candidate gene (Havcr2). Interval specific oligonucleotide arrays were created for Ity3, identifying one potential candidate gene (Chi3l1) 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 towards quantitative gene(s) identification.

Key Words: QTL fine mapping, Salmonella susceptibility, congenics, gene expression, wild-derived inbred mice

Online ISS 1091-6490
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