RNAseq of rabbit lungs infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as single cells or aggregates

The virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), either as mostly aggregates or single cells (Mtb-SC), was compared using a rabbit model of pulmonary infection. Our hypothesis is that aggregation contributes to enhanced virulence of Mtb. Rabbit lung transcriptome was analyzed by RNAseq to identify differentially regulated gene networks and pathways between Mtb-AG and Mtb-SC infection of rabbit lungs soon after seeding of the bacteria (24 hours post-inoculation). Overall design: Lung mRNA profiles of adult New Zealand White rabbits infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as single cells or aggregates for 24 hours.