Expression data from mouse small intestinal γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract harbors thousands of bacterial species that include symbionts as well as potential pathogens. The immune responses that limit access of these bacteria to underlying tissue remain poorly defined. In this study, we used microarrays to uncover the transcriptional responses that occur in small intestinal γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes following bacterial challenge. γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes (γδ IEL) were isolated by flow cytometry from the small intestines of germ-free mice, or from age- and sex-matched conventionally-raised counterparts. We extracted RNAs from these purified γδ IEL for analysis on Affymetrix DNA microarrays. The mice were all >8 weeks in age, and each sample represents a pool of RNAs from 5-8 mice.