Differential in vivo gene expression of major Leptospira proteins in resistant or susceptible animal models.

Mariko Matsui (1) , Marie-Estelle Soupé (1) , Jérôme Becam (1) , Cyrille Goarant (2)

1 Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie
2 Leptospirosis Research and Expertise Unit

Transcripts of Leptospira 16S rRNA, FlaB, LigB, LipL21, LipL32, LipL36, LipL41, and OmpL37 were quantified in the blood of susceptible (hamsters) and resistant (mice) animal models of leptospirosis. We first validated adequate reference genes and then evaluated expression patterns in vivo compared to in vitro cultures. LipL32 expression was downregulated in vivo and differentially regulated in resistant and susceptible animals. FlaB expression was also repressed in mice but not in hamsters. In contrast, LigB and OmpL37 were upregulated in vivo. Thus, we demonstrated that a virulent strain of Leptospira differentially adapts its gene expression in the blood of infected animals.

Domains: Infectious diseases

Mariko Matsui, Marie-Estelle Soupé, Jérôme Becam, Cyrille Goarant. Differential in vivo gene expression of major Leptospira proteins in resistant or susceptible animal models.. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2012, 78 (17), pp.6372-6. ⟨10.1128/AEM.00911-12⟩. ⟨pasteur-00727152⟩