Comparison of host gene expression profiles in spleen tissues of genetically susceptible and resistant mice during ECTV infection

Ectromelia virus (ECTV) has emerged as a valuable model for investigating the host-orthopoxvirus relationship as it relates to pathogenesis and the immune response. ECTV causes mousepox in most strains of mice, including BALB/c and DBA/2, and these are therefore classified as susceptible mice. Conversely, C57BL/6 and certain 129 strains display limited pathology and a very low mortality, and are thus classified as resistant. To understand the host genetic factors of different mouse strains in response to ECTV infection, we carried out a microarray analysis using Affymetrix Gene-Chip Mouse Genome Arrays of spleen tissues from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice at 3 and 10 days post-ECTV infection.

6